But they shook hands cordially, and the Doctor resumed his seat.
"And is it long since you received the news, Professor ?" inquired Mr.
Barker, with the ready Transatlantic use of titles.
"I heard of my uncle's death about three weeks ago--rather less." "Ah yes! And the news about the will--did you hear that ?" "Certainly," said the Doctor; "I received the intelligence simultaneously." "Well," said the American, "do you propose to continue living here ?" Claudius looked at his visitor.

He was as yet unfamiliar with New World curiosity, and thought the question a rather strange one.

However, he reflected that Mr.Barker's father might have some moral claim to know what his old partner's heir meant to do with his money; so he answered the question categorically.
"I was, as perhaps you may imagine, greatly surprised at the intelligence that I had inherited a great fortune.

But you will hardly understand, with your tastes,"-- the Doctor glanced at Mr.Barker's faultless costume,--"that such abundant and unexpected wealth may not be to me a wholly unalloyed blessing." Claudius proceeded to explain how little he cared for the things that his money might bring him, and announced his intention of continuing his present mode of life some time longer.

Mr.Silas B.Barker junior of New York opened his small eyes wider and wider, as his host set forth his views.
"I should think you would be bored to death!" he said simply.
"_Ennui_, in the ordinary sense, does not exist for a man whose life is devoted to study.