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           Fartoointelligenttopretendtherewasnothingcausinghisbrownstudy,FatherRalphgavehismaster-to-beaspenetratingalookashewasreceiving,thensmiledfaintlyandshruggedhisshoulders,asiftosay:Everymanhassadnessinhim,anditisnosintorememberagrief.

           "Tellme,Father,hasthesuddenslumpineconomicaffairsaffectedyourcharge?"theItalianprelateaskedsmoothly.

           "Sofarwehavenothingtoworryabout,YourGrace.MicharLimitedisn’teasilyaffectedbyfluctuationsinthemarket.IshouldimaginethosewhosefortunesarelesscarefullyinvestedthanMrs.Carson’saretheoneswhostandtolosethemost.OfcoursethestationDroghedawon’tdoaswell;thepriceofwoolisfalling.However,Mrs.Carsonwastooclevertosinkhermoneyintoruralpursuits;shepreferredthesolidityofmetal.Thoughtomymindthisisanexcellenttimetobuyland,notonlystationsinthecountrybuthousesandbuildingsinthemajorcities.Pricesareridiculouslylow,buttheycan’tremainlowforever.Idon’tseehowwecanloseonrealestateinyearstocomeifwebuynow.TheDepressionwillbeoveroneday."

           "Quite,"saidtheArchbishopPapalLegate.SonotonlywasFatherdeBricassartsomethingofadiplomat,hewasalsosomethingofabusinessmanaswell!TrulyRomehadbetterkeephereyeuponhim.