ion, eh?"

"Very simple," said Richling, with an unpleasant look of expectancy.

"Mistoo Itchlin," resumed the other, "do you not fine me impooving in my
p'onouncement of yo' lang-widge? I fine I don't use such bad land-widge
like biffo. I am shue you muz' 'ave notiz since some time I always soun'
that awer in yo' name. Mistoo Itchlin, will you 'ave that kin'ness to
baw me two-an-a-'alf till the lass of that month?"

Richling looked at him a moment in silence, and then broke into a short,
grim laugh.

"It's all gone. There's no more honey in this flower." He set his jaw as
he ceased speaking. There was a warm red place on either cheek.

"Mistoo Itchlin," said Narcisse, with sudden, quavering fervor, "you kin
len' me two dollahs! I gi'e you my honah the moze sacwed of a gen'leman,
Mistoo Itchlin, I nevvah hass you ag'in so long I live!" He extended a
pacifying hand. "One moment, Mistoo Itchlin,--one moment,--I implo' you,
seh! I assu' you, Mistoo Itchlin, I pay you eve'y cent in the worl' on
the laz of that month? Mistoo Itchlin, I am in indignan' circumstan's.
Mistoo Itchlin, if you know the distwess--Mistoo Itchlin, if you
know--'ow bad I 'ate to baw!" The tears stood in his eyes. "It nea'ly
_kill_ me to b--" Utterance failed him.

"My friend," began Richling.

"Mistoo Itchlin," exclaimed Narcisse, dashing away the tears and
striking his hand on his heart, "I _am_ yo' fwend, seh!"

Richling smiled scornfully. "Well, my good friend, if you had ever kept
a single promise made to me I need not have gone since yesterday without
a morsel of food."

Narcisse tried to respond.

"Hush!" said Richling, and Narcisse bowed while Richling spoke on. "I
haven't a cent to buy bread with to carry home. And whose fault is it?
Is it my fault--or is it yours?"

"Mistoo Itchlin, seh"--

"Hush!" cried Richling, again; "if you try to speak before I finish I'll
thrash you right here in the street!"

Narcisse folded his arms. Richling flushed and flashed with the
mortifying knowledge that his companion's behavior was better than his
own.

"If you want to borrow more money of me find me a chance to earn it!" He
glanced so suddenly at two or three street lads, who were the only
on-lookers, that they shrank back a step.

"Mistoo Itchlin," began Narcisse, once more, in a tone of polite dismay,
"you aztonizh me. I assu' you, Mistoo Itchlin"--

Richling lifted his finger and shook it. "Don't you tell me that, sir! I
will not be