He followed her in, just in time to see the flutter of her skirts at the top of the stairway, but he could not call without making himself and her ridiculous.

Confound things in general! Mr.Stevens joined him while he was still looking into that blank hole in the world.
"Glad I happened to be here, Sam," said Stevens.

"Jo tells me that your brother and Mr.Creamer have arrived and that you want to form that company right away." "Yes," admitted Sam.

"Was she sarcastic about it ?" Mr.Stevens closed his eyes and laughed.
"Not exactly sarcastic," he stated; "but she did allude to your proposed corporation as 'that old company!'" "I was afraid so," said Sam ruefully.
Stevens surveyed him in amusement for a moment, and then in pity.
"Never mind, my boy," he said kindly.

"You'll get used to these things by and by.