No doubt it was, if he so considered it, for he appeared to be fully aware of his own importance.

After all, it was an agreeable practice.

Since no man in public life can risk offending people of importance, His Honor unbent.
Gray turned a current jest upon Texas politics into a neat compliment to the city's executive; they laughed; formality vanished; personal magnetism made itself felt.

The call ended by the two men lunching together at the City Club, as Gray had assumed it would, and he took pains that the bankers upon whom he had called earlier in the morning should see him in company with the mayor.
He returned to his hotel that afternoon pretty well satisfied with his efforts and hopeful that some of the seed he had sown broadcast would be ripe for the reaping ere-long.

But he received an electric shock as he approached the desk, for the bell captain addressed him, saying: "Mr.Haviland wishes to see you at once, in his office." "Indeed?
Anything important ?" "Very important, sir.