Danny opened one eye and beat his stub of a tail softly on the rug.
William King was silent. Dr. Lavendar began to sing: "Queen Victoria's very sick;
Napoleon's got the measles.
Why don't you take Sebastopol?
Pop goes the weasel!"
"Dr. Lavendar, why do you keep trying to change the subject? What do
you think about Mrs. Richie's brother?"
"Well, Willy, my boy, I think he's not given to hospitality."
"Ah, now, no shenanigan!" poor William pleaded. "Do you suppose he's
up to some monkey-shines? Do you suppose I took him unawares, and he
was afraid to entertain me?"
Dr. Lavendar chuckled. "'Fraid he might entertain a Recording Angel
unawares?"
William shook his head. "There was something wrong, or I don't know
human nature."
"Willy, if you do know human nature, you are the only living man who
does. But, perhaps, now, it really wasn't convenient?"
"Convenient!" William burst out. "In Old Chester we don't talk about
convenience when a man knocks at the door at supper-time!"
"But Philadelphia isn't Old Chester," Dr. Lavendar reminded him,
mildly. "When you've seen as much of the world as I have, you'll
realize that. I once was short of my railroad fare in New York. I--
well, a poor creature asked me for some money to buy a coat. It was a
dreadfully cold day. It left me just three dollars short of my fare
home; so I stepped into the Bible House--you know the Bible House?--
and just stated the case to the head clerk, and said I would be
obliged if he would lend me the amount. Willy," Dr. Lavendar got very
red; "I assure you--"
"You don't say so, sir!" said William King respectfully; but he bent
down and pulled Danny's ear.
"Yes," said Dr. Lavendar; "yes, indeed! I will not repeat what he
said; you would be indignant. I just mention the circumstance to show
you how differently people look at things. If any gentleman got into
such a fix in Old Chester, of course he would just speak to Sam
Wright, or you, or me. Or take your own case; if any stranger came on
business at dinner-time, you would say, 'Sit down, sir'!"
William thought of Martha and moved uneasily in his chair.
"But," proceeded Dr. Lavendar, "it is not so everywhere. Convenience
is considered. It isn't hospitable; but you can't say it's wicked?"
"Dr. Lavendar," said William King, "you don't believe that was the
reason."