“That is sad. What is your business, my man?”
It was Bolton’s turn to be embarrassed.
“My business?” he repeated.
“That is what I said.”
“I’m a blacksmith, but I’m willing to do any honest work.”
“That is commendable; but don’t you know that it is very ill-bred to smoke a pipe in a gentleman’s house?”
“Excuse me, governor!”
And Bolton extinguished his pipe, and put it away in a pocket of his corduroy coat.
“I was just telling him the same thing,” said Curtis. “Don’t trouble yourself any further, uncle. I will inquire into the man’s circumstances, and help him if I can.”
“Very well, Curtis. I came down because I thought I heard voices.”