“I don’t mind telling you,” he said confidentially, “that up to the present time I’ve experienced a good many business reverses and considerable family responsibility. I hope now in a year or [p189] two to be able to indulge them little extra items. The lack of money,” he added somewhat proudly, “is no disgrace; but I can’t deny it’s what you might call limiting.”
Hinton smiled. “I think I’ve got a cigar somewhere about me. Here it is. Will you try it?”
Mr. Opp didn’t care if he did, and from the manner in which he lighted it, and from the way in which he stood, with one elbow on the high mantel-shelf and his feet gracefully crossed, while he blew curling wreaths toward the ceiling, it was not difficult to reckon the extent of his self-denial.
“Do you indulge much in the pleasure of reading?” he asked, looking at Hinton through the cloud of smoke.
“I did,” said Hinton, drawing a deep breath.
“It’s a great pastime,” said Mr. Opp. “I wonder if you are familiar with this here volume.” He took from the shelf “The Encyclopedia of Wonder, Beauty, and Wisdom.”
[p190]
“Hardly a thumb-nail edition,” said Hinton, receiving it with both hands.
“Say, it’s a remarkable work,” said Mr. Opp, earnestly; “you ought to get yourself one. Facts in the first part, and the prettiest poetry you ever read in the back: a dollar down and fifty cents a month until paid for. Here, let me show you; read that one.”
“I can’t see it,” said Hinton.
“I’ll get the lamp.”