ly.

"Perhaps you didn't think I should accept that invitation of yours,
Captain Warren," observed Pearson. "I told you I meant it when I said
yes. And calling within thirty-six hours is pretty good proof, isn't
it?"

"Suits me fust-rate. I'm mighty glad you came. Set right down. Lonesome
at the boardin' house, was it?"

Pearson made a grimace. "Lonesome!" he repeated. "Ugh! Let's talk of
something else. Were you in time for your appointment yesterday noon?"

"Why, yes; I was and I wasn't. Say, won't you have a cigar? That's
right. And I s'pose, bein' as this is New York, I'd ought to ask you to
take somethin' to lay the dust, hey? I ain't made any inquiries myself,
but I shouldn't wonder if the Commodore--the feller that let you
in--could find somethin' in the spare room closet or somewheres, if I
ask him."

The young man laughed. "If you mean a drink," he said, "I don't care for
it, thank you."

"What? You ain't a teetotaler, are you?"

"No, not exactly. But--"

"But you can get along without it, hey? So can I; generally do, fur's
that goes. But _I'm_ from South Denboro. I thought here in New York--"

"Oh, there are many people, even here in New York, who are not convinced
that alcohol is a food."

"You don't tell me! Well, I'm livin' and learnin' every day. Judgin'
from stories and the yarns in the Boston newspapers, folks up our way
have the idea that this town is a sort of annex to the bad place. All
right, then we won't trouble the Commodore. I notice you're lookin' over
my quarters. What do you think of 'em?"

Pearson had, in spite of himself, been glancing about the room. Its
luxury and the evident signs of taste and wealth surprised him greatly.

"Astonish you to find me livin' in a place like this, hey?"

"Why, why, yes, it does, somewhat. I didn't realize you were such an
aristocrat, Captain Warren. If I had, I might have been a little more
careful of my dress in making my first call."

"Dress? Oh, you mean you'd have put on your Sunday clothes. Well, I'm
glad you didn't. You see, _I_ haven't got on my regimentals, and if
you'd been on dress parade I might have felt bashful. Ho, ho! I don't
wonder you are surprised. This is a pretty swell neighborhood, ain't
it?"

"Yes, it is."

"These--er--apartments, now. 'Bout as good as any in town, are they?"

"Pretty nearly. There are few better--much better."

"I thought so. You wouldn't call livin' in 'em economizin' to any
consider'ble extent,