sure you'll like
Applegarth. By the bye, you never went in for astronomy, did you? I
felt ashamed of my ignorance. Why, it's one of the most interesting
subjects a man can study. I shall take it up. One might have a little
observatory of one's own. Do you know Bristol at all? A beastly place,
the town, but perfectly delightful country quite near at hand.
Applegarth lives in an ideal spot--you'll see."

There was a knock at the door and the manager entered. Other business
claimed their attention.

CHAPTER 8

Warburton often returned from Whitechapel to Chelsea on foot, enjoying
the long walk after his day in the office. This evening, a heavily
clouded sky and sobbing wind told that rain was not far off;
nevertheless, wishing to think hard, which he could never do so well as
when walking at a brisk pace, he set off in the familiar direction--a
straight cut across South London.

In Lower Kennington Lane he stopped, as his habit was, at a little
stationer's shop, over which was the name Potts. During his last year
in the West Indies, he had befriended an English lad whose health was
suffering from the climate, and eventually had paid his passage to the
United States, whither the young adventurer wished to go in pursuit of
his fortune. Not long after he received a letter of thanks from the
lad's father, and, on coming to London, he sought out Mr. Potts, whose
gratitude and its quaint expression had pleased him. The acquaintance
continued; whenever Warburton passed the shop he stepped in and made
purchases--generally of things he did not in the least want. Potts had
all the characteristics which were wont to interest Will, and touch his
sympathies; he was poor, weak of body, humble-spirited, and of an
honest, simple mind. Nothing more natural and cordial than Will's
bearing as he entered and held out his hand to the shopkeeper. How was
business? Any news lately from Jack? Jack, it seemed, was doing pretty
well at Pittsburgh; would Mr. Warburton care to read a long letter that
had arrived from him a week ago? To his satisfaction, Will found that
the letter had enclosed a small sum of money, for a present on the
father's birthday. Having, as usual, laden himself with newspapers,
periodicals and notepaper, he went his way.

At grimy Vauxhall he crossed the river, and pursued his course along
Grosvenor Road. Rain had begun to fall, and the driving of the wind
obliged him to walk with the umbrella before his face. H