The shabby interior of the little bank, the shabby little banker,renewed that sense of disillusion that pervaded Peter's home-coming. InBoston the mulatto had done his slight banking business in a blackmarble structure with tellers of machine-like briskness and neatness.

Mr. Hooker strolled around into his grill-cage; when he was thoroughlyensconced he began business inside his high voice:

"You came to look at me about that land, Peter?"

Yes, sir."

"Sorry to tell you, Peter, you are not back in time to get the Tomwitplace."

Peter came out of his musing over the Boston banks with a sense ofbewilderment.

"How's that? why, I bought that land--"

"But you paid nothing for your option, Siner."

"I had a clear-cut comprehending with Mr. Tomwit--"

Mr. Hooker smiled a smile that brought out sharp wrinkles around thethin nose on his thin face.