"But we shall make twice as much if the hoss-cars an' stores are worked. Jest wait till I get a chair here, so's I can keep the trade hummin' when there isn't any shinin' to be done, an' you'll see how the money's bound to come tumblin' in. The feller what gave up this stand must 'a' been a chump!"
"I don't s'pose he 'tended to business," Teddy said, solemnly, as he placed the stock on a shelf, and prepared to join in the feast. "This place is goin' to be mighty snug to live in; but it isn't so handy as the yard, 'cause a feller's got to hunt 'round for water when he wants to wash his face."
"If trade keeps on like this I'll 'gree not to let a drop of water come near me for a year," Carrots exclaimed.
"An' the customers would keep away too, I reckon. But say, Carrots, isn't this goin' it rather strong for supper?" Teddy asked almost sternly, as he gazed at the newspaper spread on the floor of the stand, and heaped high with such delicacies as "bolivars," Bolognas, and pickled sheep's tongues.
"I reckon it is; but you see it's the first night, an' I counted on spreadin' myself some. There's three of us, you know, so it takes a lot of grub to go 'round."
"It won't do to keep this thing up," Teddy said, as he shook his head gravely.
"Course not; but to-night doesn't count. Now pitch right in, both of you, an' let's have a high old time."
Ikey had already begun to do his share, and, as the others joined him, the silence within the stand was broken only by Carrots's gasps, for he ate so eagerly that he hardly gave himself time to breathe properly.
The candle was standing in one corner, in a bottle, while under the counter was a pile of straw which Ikey had gathered to serve as beds; and these gave the place such an air of home as, according to Carrots's ideas, it would be hard to find elsewhere.
"I sha'n't go to the Hoffman House agin'," he said in a tone of content, as he gazed around complacently after it was absolutely impossible to eat any more. "This is about the swellest place in this city, an' the fellers'd be wild if they could see us. Mighty lucky for you, Ikey, that we got this stand jest as we did, for now you won't have to lay low while your leg's gettin' well."