Here Pennington stepped into the kitchen and exchanged a few rapid words with the innkeeper. Scarlett pursed his lips and regarded Ezra with attention.
“It would seem to me that under proper conditions, he would prove a very thorough-going gentleman,” remarked he, with a nod toward the door.
“I have no doubt of it,” said the boy.
Scarlett continued to look at him; and there was speculation in his eyes. At length he spoke again.
“You baffle me sometimes. By your looks you should be a plain dealer, if one is to place an atom of trust in the reading of faces. And yet I find you writhing about like an eel upon a brick pavement.”
“What I have said,” returned Ezra, “is the truth.”
“Ay, what you have said!” The other laughed and slapped his chest. “It’s what you have not said that takes me by the horns. And,” with a jerk of the thumb over his shoulder, “our acquaintance there is bothered by it too.” The speaker studied Ezra for a moment. “Has it occurred to you that you may have fallen in with his desires very neatly in offering to cross the river?”
Ezra smiled and nodded. At this Gilbert Scarlett laughed and slapped him upon the back.
“I might have known it,” said he. “You are a deep one for a lad.”
“Only a few nights ago you had a rather poor opinion of my wit,” said Ezra.