Gabriel showed no disposition to move. "Professor, you should at least eat a bit of cold meat. Nothing can come of nothing," he added, kindly.
"It is not right that you should come in and disturb me."
Gabriel took the plate and carried it to his master. "Pray, Professor, take at least a few mouthfuls."
"Give it to me then," said he, and began to eat.
Gabriel made use of the time during which his master unavoidably paused in his intellectual occupation, to offer a respectful admonition. "My late Captain thought much of a good supper."
"But now you have changed into the civil service," answered the Professor, laughing.
"It is not right," continued Gabriel, pertinaciously, "that I should eat the roast that I bring for you."
"I hope you are now satisfied," answered the Professor, pushing the plate back to him.
Gabriel shrugged his shoulders. "You have at least done your best. The Doctor was not at home."
"So it appears. See to it that the front-door remains open."