He added he was glad to see his visitor, a statement more polite than truthful.
"Well, what's up ?" he inquired, condescendingly.

"Nothing wrong with Caro or Steve, I hope." "No, they're fust-rate, thank you." "What's doing, then?
Is it pleasure or business ?" "Well, a little of both, maybe.

It's always a pleasure to see you, of course; and I have got a little mite of business on hand." Malcolm smiled, in his languid fashion.

If he suspected sarcasm in the first part of the captain's reply, it did not trouble him.

His self-sufficiency was proof against anything of that sort.
"Business," he repeated.