When the troubled mayor entered he arose courteously and waved him to a chair.
"Sit down, Mr.Sluss," he said, genially.

"It's a disagreeable day out, isn't it?
I suppose you have come in regard to the matter we were discussing this morning ?" Nor was this cordiality wholly assumed.

One of the primal instincts of Cowperwood's nature--for all his chicane and subtlety--was to take no rough advantage of a beaten enemy.

In the hour of victory he was always courteous, bland, gentle, and even sympathetic; he was so to-day, and quite honestly, too.
Mayor Sluss put down the high sugar-loaf hat he wore and said, grandiosely, as was his manner even in the direst extremity: "Well, you see, I am here, Mr.Cowperwood.

What is it you wish me to do, exactly ?" "Nothing unreasonable, I assure you, Mr.Sluss," replied Cowperwood.
"Your manner to me this morning was a little brusque, and, as I have always wanted to have a sensible private talk with you, I took this way of getting it.