“Look here, if we’ve got to pay for these chowders jest the same as anybody else, I’m goin’ to set where I want to;” and he boldly took a chair from the desired table, seating himself with the air of one who knows his rights and is determined to have them, while the others, with more or less trepidation, followed his example.
Bill Foss did his best to appear perfectly at ease, and so far succeeded that he actually took a fragment of cracker from the plate, and began eating it as if he had a perfect right to indulge his appetite in whatever manner should please him most.
Sadie and Josiah looked uncomfortable, and probably were, during the time of waiting for their refreshments.
Both sat on the edge of their chairs as if undecided whether it would be wise to occupy them in a proper manner; and each gazed at the other in fear and trembling when Bill, emboldened by his first attempt, broke off a second and larger piece of the biscuit, putting it in his mouth at imminent risk of strangling himself.
Tom, thinking of the very important portion of the feast, whispered to Bob:—
“Why didn’t you ask him how much they’d charge to fill us up with chowder?”
“What would I do that for? I reckon they’ll tell us when we get through eatin’, an’ this firm has got money enough to stand the shot, don’t you be afraid of that.”
It certainly seemed as if the waiter was troubled with the same misgivings as Tom; for before bringing them what had been ordered, he returned to the table and asked:—
“Do you want one check, or five, for these chowders?”
He looked directly at Josiah as he spoke; and the boy from Berry’s Corner was beginning to feel much more uncomfortable than before, when Bob said decidedly:—