Michael was surprised to find what a difference his new dinner coat, his new silk hat, his new, proud linen made in his estimate of himself; he felt less resentment toward all these people for being so rich and assured. For the first time since he had left college he felt rich and assured himself; he felt that he was part of all this, and even entered into the scheme of Johnson, the practical joker, for the appearance of the woman betrayed, now waiting tranquilly in the room across the hall.
"We don't want to go too heavy," Johnson said, "because I imagine Ham's had a pretty anxious day already. Did you see Fullman Oil's sixteen points off this morning?"
"Will that matter to him?" Michael asked, trying to keep the interest out of his voice.
"Naturally. He's in heavily; he's always in everything heavily. So far he's had luck; anyhow, up to a month ago."
The glasses were filled and emptied faster now, and men were shouting at one another across the narrow table.