"I don't
bet," was all he said. He showed no resentment at Sharon's familiarity,
and he appeared to find no amusement in Sharon's extraordinary talk.
The old vagabond seemed actually to produce a serious impression on him!
When Mr. Troy set the example of rising to go, he still kept his seat,
and looked at the lawyer as if he regretted leaving the atmosphere of
tobacco smoke reeking in the dirty room.
"Have you anything to say before we go?" Mr. Troy asked.
Moody rose slowly and looked at Old Sharon. "Not just now, sir," he
replied, looking away again, after a moment's reflection.
Old Sharon interpreted Moody's look and Moody's reply from his own
peculiar point of view. He suddenly drew the steward away into a corner
of the room.
"I say!" he began, in a whisper. "Upon your solemn word of honor, you
know--are you as rich as the lawyer there?"
"Certainly not."
"Look here! It's half price to a poor man. If you feel like coming back,
on your own account--five pounds will do from _you_. There! there! Think
of it!--think of it!"
"Now, then!" said Mr. Troy, waiting for his companion, with the door
open in his hand. He looked back at Sharon when Moody joined him. The
old vagabond was settled again in his armchair, with his dog in his
lap, his pipe in his mouth, and his French novel in his hand; exhibiting
exactly the picture of frowzy comfort which he had presented when his
visitors first entered the room.
"Good-day," said Mr. Troy, with haughty condescension.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84