ather with sartinty enough to bet. However,
I daresay in your husband's case it's all right."

The lady had turned away, and he was afraid he might have offended her.
The fear was groundless; she was merely offering another sacrifice, the
sugar this time.

"Yes?" she asked, turning, "you were saying--"

"Why--er--nothin' of account. I cal'late the C. stands for Charles,
then."

"No-o. Mr. Dickens's Christian name is Cornelius; but don't mention it
before him, he is very sensitive on that point."

The Dickenses "tickled" the captain exceedingly, and, after the meal was
over, he spoke of them to Pearson.

"Say," he said, "you're in notorious company, ain't you, Jim? What has
Cornelius Charles turned out so far, in the way of masterpieces?"

Pearson laughed. "I believe he is employed by a subscription house,"
he replied. "Doing hack work on an encyclopedia. A great collection of
freaks, aren't they, Captain Warren?"

"Kind of. But that old book-shop man and his wife seem nice folks. And,
as for freaks, the average boardin' house, city or country, seems
to draw 'em like flies. I guess most anybody would get queer if they
boarded all the time."

"Perhaps so. Or, if they weren't queer, they wouldn't board permanently
from choice. There are two or three good fellows who dine and breakfast
here. The food isn't bad, considering the price."

"No, it ain't. Tasted more like home than any meal I've had for a good
while. I'm afraid I never was cut out for swell livin'."

Mrs. Hepton approached them as they stood in the hall. She wished to
know if Mr. Pearson's friend was thinking of finding lodgings. Because
Mr. Saks--the artist's name--was giving up the second floor back in a
fortnight, and it was a very pleasant room. "We should be delighted to
add you to our little circle, Captain Warren."

Pearson told her that his companion was already lodged, and she said
good-by and left them. The captain smiled broadly.

"Everything in New York seems to be circles," he declared. "Well, Jim,
you come up and circulate with me, first chance you get. I'm dependin'
on you to call, remember."

The young man was still doubtful.

"I'll see," he said. "I can't promise yet--perhaps I will."

"You will--after you've thought it out to a finish. And come soon. I'm
gettin' interested in that second edition of your Uncle Jim, and I want
to keep along with him as fast as you write. Good-by. Much obliged for
the dinner--there I go again!-