“Can’t say I did,” returned Mr. Lane, apologetically.
“Ah, ’e was a quiet old chap. ’E didn’t get about much. There wasn’t many as met ’im. ’E stopped indoors most of ’is time, only I thought p’r’aps you might ’ave knowed ’im.”
“No. Where did he live?”
“Oh, ’e was always moving!” replied Mr. Clark. “’E never stopped anywhere long, but now ’e’s settled for good and all. Five weeks ago, that was.”
“Is he buried in the town?” asked Mr. Lane, politely, affecting interest in the sad event.
“No, sir; in Scotland, where ’e was born.”
“And what was ’e like?”
“Ah, a little, short, shabby old chap, ’e was. But, then, there was a reason for ’is going shabby.”
“Oh, indeed? He was poor, I suppose?”
“Not ’im! ’E was a miser.”