When he reached the place, he found no one at home. He could not go back with his mission unaccomplished, and hung about, keeping a sharp watch on each end of the street, and on the approaches to it that he passed in walking to and fro.
He had not waited long before Arthur appeared, stooping like an aged man, and moving slowly He was in the same shabby muffler as of old. His face brightened when he saw his friend, but a fit of coughing prevented him for some time from returning his salutation.
“When did you have your dinner?” asked Richard.
“I had something to eat in the middle of the day,” he answered feebly; “and when Alice comes, she will perhaps bring something with her; but we don't care much about eating.—We've got out of the way of it somehow!” he added with an unreal laugh.
“It's no wonder you can't get rid of your cold!” returned Richard. “Come along, and have something to eat.”
“I can't have Ally come home and not find me!” objected Arthur.
“You shall put something in your pocket for her!” suggested Richard.
He seemed to yield; but his every motion was full of indecision. Richard took his arm.
“Do you know any place near,” he asked, “where we could get some supper?”
“No, I'm afraid I don't,” answered Arthur.