"Where's the answer?" asked the messenger boy.
"Here you are," returned Pepper, and scribbled a reply on a slip of paper. Then the messenger received his pay and made off.
Promptly on time that night Sam Pepper went up Fifth Avenue. Just as he reached Homer Bulson's home the young man came down the steps.
"Come with me—the house is full of company," he said. "I want to talk to you where we will be free from interruption."
"I'm agreeable," answered Pepper.
The pair walked rapidly down a side street. Homer Bulson seemed ill at ease, and Pepper noticed it.
"You are not yourself to-night," he said.
"I've got lots to think about," growled Bulson.
"Still mad because the girl won't have you, I suppose."
"No, I've given her up. I don't want a wife that won't love me."