"Have you had breakfast, Mr. Tweet?" he asked.
Tweet stopped and looked at him soberly. "Are you invitin' me to dine?" he said quizzically.
"Well, kinda that way," admitted Hiram with a foolish grin. "I haven't eaten myself, and——"
"I haven't eaten myself either, nor anybody else since yesterday mornin'. I accept."
And promptly Mr. Tweet pushed ahead through the swinging doors.
CHAPTER V
A RIVAL
The restaurant was all but deserted at the late breakfast hour when Hiram Hooker and Mr. Tweet entered. Hiram timidly wished that the men's side were filled, so that he would be obliged to eat on the ladies' side again. A waiter was beckoning them to the men's side, however, and Hiram meekly led the way, though casting a quick, expectant glance down the long row of tables beyond the screen.
Waitresses were dallying about, but he did not see the girl with the cords of fluffy hair. He was halfway through breakfast before it occurred to him that, as she was at work at eleven the night before, he scarce could expect her at nine in the morning. He was glad she was not there to tantalize him, and at the same time deeply disappointed.