Arriving at the post-office he met there Bill and Dan alone.
He had expected to see a great throng, and began to believe that for some good reason the "blow-out" had been postponed.
"Have you given it up?" he asked in what he intended should be a careless tone, for even though he had advised Dan not to "start the thing," it had given him no slight satisfaction because his acquaintances and friends should desire thus to do him honor.
"Give up nothin'!" Bill exclaimed. "Ain't we here on time?"
"I didn't know from what you said last night but that some of the other fellers were comin'."
"We've fixed everything jest as we want it, an' she's goin' along as smooth as a die," Master Roberts replied in a tone of satisfaction. "Them as don't know their business gets left; but we haven't got in with that crowd, eh, William?"
"We shan't mildew even if we ain't taken in for a considerable spell," Bill said contentedly, and added an instant later: "Now Seth's come I don't see why we should stand 'round here any longer."
"Let her go; I'm ready"; and Master Roberts set out in advance, leading the way toward Chat ham Street much as if believing every person whom they met knew he was conducting the boy who ran with Ninety-four.
"Where are we goin'?" Seth asked of Bill, believing now that the spread concerning which so much had been said was to be confined strictly to the lodgers in Mrs. Hanson's house.
"You'll see when we strike there, an' if it ain't tony enough for a swell from the Department, you can get out."