interesting things to tell."

Cowperwood beamed back on him encouragingly. He inquired after
the condition of one industry and another, one trade or profession
and another. This was somewhat different from the atmosphere which
prevailed in Philadelphia--more breezy and generous. The tendency
to expatiate and make much of local advantages was Western. He
liked it, however, as one aspect of life, whether he chose to share
in it or not. It was favorable to his own future. He had a prison
record to live down; a wife and two children to get rid of--in the
legal sense, at least (he had no desire to rid himself of financial
obligation toward them). It would take some such loose, enthusiastic
Western attitude to forgive in him the strength and freedom with
which he ignored and refused to accept for himself current convention.
"I satisfy myself" was his private law, but so to do he must assuage
and control the prejudices of other men. He felt that this banker,
while not putty in his hands, was inclined to a strong and useful
friendship.

"My impressions of the city are entirely favorable, Mr. Addison,"
he said, after a time, though he inwardly admitted to himself that
this was not entirely true; he was not sure whether he could bring
himself ultimately to live in so excavated and scaffolded a world
as this or not. "I only saw a portion of it coming in on the train.
I like the snap of things. I believe Chicago has a future."

"You came over the Fort Wayne, I presume," replied Addison, loftily.
"You saw the worst section. You must let me show you some of the
best parts. By the way, where are you staying?"