The others assented eagerly. They were not to be outdone in liberality. They knew nothing of this new acquisition, but Barrifield's description appealed to them.
"We'll put him down-stairs with Bates," reflected Perner.
"What's his name, Barry?" asked Van Dorn.
"Hazard—Colonel Hazard. Officer in the Civil War. All the big battles. If we got pinched before the returns come he'd loan us money, too."
"That's good," said Perner. "We may need it."
They studied the bill of fare intently.
"They serve all portions for two here, don't they?" asked Perner, rather cautiously, at last.
A waiter standing near by replied in the affirmative.
"That soup looks good," suggested Van Dorn. "Creme of tomatoes with rice. Suppose we try two portions of that?"
Livingstone hastily referred to the price, which he was gratified to find was unusually moderate.