"Too late, Perny; they're closed. You should have got it when you were there yesterday."
"Yes, I know; but I thought some of us would surely get one, and I didn't want to appear broke. I suppose, if they'd mentioned it, I'd have been fool enough to have said, 'No hurry—any time— I don't need it.'"
Van Dorn regarded Perner gravely.
"Perny," he said severely, "it is my opinion that you did say those very words. Were you, or were you not, offered a check yesterday in the 'Columbian' office?"
"I were not! Though I believe there was some mention of having it made out if I wished it, and—"
"And you told them that any time next week, or next month, or next year would do! Let in the wolf, Stony; we're betrayed."
"Well," said Perner, "it'll be next year before it's next week, anyway."
Livingstone arose and marched up and down the floor.
"Don't do that," said Van Dorn. "It'll make you hungrier."
"I suppose Barry's gone home," reflected Perner, "hasn't he, Van, by this time?"