eplies he; and it
was settled.

"He did better as a waiter; he'd got it in his blood, as you might say;
and so after a time he worked up to be head-waiter. Now and then, of
course, it came about that he found himself waiting on the very folks
that he'd been chums with in his classy days, and that must have been a
bit rough on him. But he'd taken in a good deal of sense since then; and
when one of the old sort, all rings and shirt-front, dining there one
Sunday evening, started chaffing him, Jimmy just shut him up with a
quiet: 'Yes, I guess we were both a bit out of our place in those days.
The difference between us now is that I have got back to mine,' which
cost him his tip, but must nave been a satisfaction to him.

"Altogether he worked in that hotel for some three and a half years, and
then Mrs. Wrench sends for him again into the office.

"'Sit down, James,' says she.

"'Thank you, Mrs. Wrench,' says James, and sat.

"'I'm thinking of giving up this hotel, James,' says she, 'and taking
another near Dover, a quiet place with just such a clientele as I shall
like. Do you care to come with me?'

"'Thank you,' says he, 'but I'm thinking, Mrs. Wrench, of making a change
myself.'

"'Oh,' says she, 'I'm sorry to hear that, James. I thought we'd been
getting on very well together.'

"'I've tried to do my best, Mrs. Wrench,' says he, 'and I hope as I've
given satisfaction.'

"'I've nothing to complain of, James,' says she.

"'I thank you for saying it,' says he, 'and I thank you for the
opportunity you gave me when I wanted it. It's been the making of me.'

"She didn't answer for about a minute. Then says she: 'You've been
meeting some of your old friends, James, I'm afraid, and they've been
persuading you to go back into the City.'

"'No, Mrs. Wrench,' says he; 'no more City for me, and no more
neighbourhood of Grosvenor Square, unless it be in the way of business;
and that couldn't be, of course, for a good long while to come.'

"'What do you mean by business?' asks she.

"'The hotel business,' replies he. 'I believe I know the bearings by
now. I've saved a bit, thanks to you, Mrs. Wrench, and a bit's come in
from the wreck that I never hoped for.'

"'Enough to start you?' asks she.

"'Not quite enough for that,' answers he. 'My idea is a small
partnership.'

"'How much is it altogether?' says she, 'if it's not an impertinent
question.'

"'Not at all,' answers he. 'It tots up to 900 poun