He had grown increasingly resentful of Thatcher's tone and manner, and was anxious to be rid of him.
"Mort's a good deal closer-mouthed than I am.

Mort likes to hide his tracks--better than that, by George, Mort doesn't _make_ any tracks! Well, every man is bound to break a twig now and then as he goes along.
By George, I tear down the trees like an elephant so they can't miss me!" As Dan made no reply to this Thatcher recurred in a moment to Allen and Harwood's annoyance passed.

It was obvious that the capitalist had sought this interview to talk of the boy, to make sure that Harwood was sincerely interested in him.

Thatcher's manner of speaking of his son was kind and affectionate.

The introduction of Bassett into the discussion had been purely incidental, but it was not less interesting because of its unpremeditated interjection.