e craving of naturally good appetites, they walked up to Wilkins, and
inquired where they were expected to board.

"Good gracious! sure enough!" said he, flinging his paper on the
counter, "I came near forgetting you; and would have been off to
breakfast without you in a minute more. Come on," and he put on his coat
as he went out of the door, and led the way down street. They only
walked a couple of blocks, then entered a large room, opening upon the
street, with glazed glass doors, which stood open on account of the heat
of the morning.

"I always eat here, as it is cheaper than to take a boarding-house, I
think; and, besides, you can always have just what you call for. If you
take my advice, you'll take your meals here, too," said Wilkins,
assuming a very patronizing air, as he rang the little table bell for
the waiter.

Arthur thanked him for his kindness, and asked him when they would
probably see Mr. Delancey.

"He's only in the store from nine in the morning till three in the
afternoon," replied Wilkins. "You will see him shortly after we get back
there."

When their meal was over, arm in arm they took their way back to the
store. It wasn't nine o'clock yet, so they didn't walk very briskly, but
looked about them, and made their comments to each other on the
appearance of the buildings, the streets, etc., etc., and Arthur drew
some comparisons between them and those in New-York. They reached the
store almost at the same time that a pony-chaise, driven by a very
respectable-looking negro man, drew up at the door. A tall, spare
gentleman, in a suit of black, stepped out of it, and after reaching
back for his walking-stick, entered the building. He had, apparently,
seen about fifty winters; he was active enough to be fifty, but he was
wrinkled and skinny enough to be sixty. His hair was quite grey, and of
a dry, husky nature, which prevented its ever looking smooth; and, in
consequence, it stuck straight up in front, and straight out at the
sides, in a very bristling and business-like manner. He had a deep
frown between the eyes, which were of a cold stone color, of a most
peculiar expression, and exceedingly quick and restless; always darting
hither and thither, never as if looking for a bright side to anything,
but always as if seeking for something amiss. His nose was high and
pinched, but long, also, and very hooked; so hooked that it seemed as if
each nostril had baited a corner of his mouth, and drawn it