“No; I don’t think he can be in London.”
“And you—what are you supposed to be doing?”
“Nothing at all at present.”
The lady laughed. “Then how do you live?”
“I don’t live; I exist; how I cannot tell you.”
“Why, Rawton, this is a bad business.”
“Precious bad; but there are others as badly off as myself. I am too honest for this world.”
And here the speaker laughed, but it was a forced hollow sort of laugh.
“Well, I am vexed to see you in such a sorry plight; but you’ll never do any good while you present such a wretched appearance as this. Call on me this evening.”
“Where? At the old place?”