``What I can't understand,'' said King, as he moved up into Miss Langham's place, ``is how you had time to learn so much of the rest of the world.You don't act like a man who had spent his life in the brush.''
``How do you mean?'' asked Clay, smiling--``that I don't use the wrong forks?''
``No,'' laughed King, ``but you told us that this was your first visit East, and yet you're talking about England and Vienna and Voisin's.How is it you've been there, while you have never been in New York?''
``Well, that's partly due to accident and partly to design,''
Clay answered.``You see I've worked for English and German and French companies, as well as for those in the States, and I go abroad to make reports and to receive instructions.And then I'm what you call a self-made man; that is, I've never been to college.I've always had to educate myself, and whenever I did get a holiday it seemed to me that I ought to put it to the best advantage, and to spend it where civilization was the furthest advanced--advanced, at least, in years.When I settle down and become an expert, and demand large sums for just looking at the work other fellows have done, then I hope to live in New York, but until then I go where the art galleries are biggest and where they have got the science of enjoying themselves down to the very finest point.I have enough rough work eight months of the year to make me appreciate that.So whenever I get a few months to myself I take the Royal Mail to London, and from there to Paris or Vienna.I think I like Vienna the best.The directors are generally important people in their own cities, and they ask one about, and so, though I hope I am a good American, it happens that I've more friends on the Continent than in the United States.''
``And how does this strike you?'' asked King, with a movement of his shoulder toward the men about the dismantled table.
``Oh, I don't know,'' laughed Clay.``You've lived abroad yourself; how does it strike you?''
Clay was the first man to enter the drawing-room.He walked directly away from the others and over to Miss Langham, and, taking her fan out of her hands as though to assure himself of some hold upon her, seated himself with his back to every one else.