In some of his views of the matter he was a little prehistoric and savage, but the modern side of his character was too intelligent to lack reason.

He was by no means entirely modern, however; a large part of his nature belonged to the age in which men had fought fiercely for what they wanted to get or keep, and when the amenities of commerce had not become powerful factors in existence.
"They're not a bad lot," he was thinking at this moment.

"They are rather fine in a way.

They are clever and powerful and interesting--more so than they know themselves.

But it is all commerce.