“I was about to strike you for half a dollar. I suppose it wouldn’t be any use.”
“No, it wouldn’t. I haven’t as much money as that. Perhaps Mr. Clyde would oblige you.”
“I owe him fifty already. I hate to speak ill of Cornelius, but he is close. He doesn’t understand the obligations of friendship. Well, ta, ta! I will see you to-night.”
CHAPTER XVI.
BEN VISITS MR. SIMPSON.
Ben kept at work for the remainder of the week, but felt far from satisfied with his position and pay. He found that his three meals a day included only the cheapest and least desirable dishes, and having the hearty appetite of a healthy boy he felt obliged to supplement them by ordering extra food at his own expense.
So it happened that at the week’s end he had but forty cents coming to him. Another week’s rent was due, and this was all he had to meet it.
“What shall I do?” he asked Mr. Snodgrass, in perplexity.
“Haven’t you got something to hock?” asked the writer.
“What do you mean by ‘hock?’” asked Ben.