"I am sorry for that," said the Professor. "In Brazil there is imprisonment for debt."
"What?" exclaimed Pate, in extreme terror.
"There is imprisonment for debt in this country," said the Professor; "and if you do not pay the bill, the proprietor of the hotel will have you put in the calaboose."
"Where you may have to remain during your whole life," said Toney.
"Oh! oh!" cried Pate, looking as pale as a ghost. "What—what shall I do?"
"Get the money and pay the bill," said Toney.
"I cannot—I cannot!" said Pate, perspiring from every pore.
"This is a great calamity," said the Professor. "Only to think of a man having to spend, perhaps, forty years of his life in prison!"
"To end his days in a dungeon!" said Toney, sadly.