"I assure you I＇m very serious; you ought to understand that," said Ralph.
In a moment his companion understood it. "I believe you are; now you＇re too serious."
"You＇re dif昀cult to please."
"Oh, you＇re very serious indeed. You won＇t invite Mr. Goodwood."
"I don＇t know," said Ralph. "I＇m capable of strange things. Tell me a little about Mr. Goodwood. What＇s he like?"
"He＇s just the opposite of you. He＇s at the head of a cotton-factory; a very 昀ne one."