“So we promised not to interfere, although Sim Phinney looked disappointed when he done it. I could see that he'd had hopes afore he give that promise.”
CHAPTER XI
IN THE GREAT METROPOLIS
“So they left you and Sim Phinney to keep house, did they, Hiram?” observed Wingate.
“They did. And, for a spell, we figgered on bein' free from too much style.
“After they'd gone we loafed into the settin' room or libr'ry, or whatever you call it, and come to anchor in a couple of big lazy chairs.
“'Now,' says I, takin' off my coat, 'we can be comf'table.'
“But we couldn't. In bobs a servant girl to know if we 'wanted anything.' We didn't, but she looked so shocked when she see me in my shirt sleeves that I put the coat on again, feelin' as if I'd ought to blush. And in a minute back she comes to find out if we was SURE we didn't want anything. Sim was hitchin' in his chair. Between 'nerves' and Archibald, his temper was raw on the edges.
“'Say,' he bursts out, 'you look kind of pale to me. What you need is fresh air. Why don't you go take a walk?'