The big painter, in his full-blooded, boyish fashion, fairly gasconaded over the success of his exhibit.

Larry smiled at the other's exuberant enthusiasm.

Hunt was one man who could boast without ever being offensively egotistical, for Hunt, added to his other gifts, had the divine gift of being able to laugh at himself.
Larry saw here an opportunity to forward that other ambition of his: the bringing of Hunt and Miss Sherwood together.

And at this instant it flashed upon him that Miss Sherwood's seemingly casual remarks about Hunt had not been casual at all.

Perhaps they had been carefully thought out and spoken with a definite purpose.