Dan's heart sank within him. It was clear he could not expect any consideration from such a man. But the truth must be told.
"No doubt you are right, Mr. Wolverton, and you've found me pretty prompt so far."
"So I have, Dan. I know you wouldn't be dishonest enough to make me wait."
Dan's heart sank still lower. It was becoming harder every minute to own that he was deficient.
"Still, Mr. Wolverton, bad luck will come——"
"What!" exclaimed Wolverton, with a forbidding scowl.
"As I was saying, sir, a man is sometimes unlucky. Now, I have been sick nearly a week out of the last month, as you may have heard, and it's put me back."
"What are you driving at, Dan Woods?" demanded Wolverton, severely. "I hope you're not going to say that you are not ready to pay your rent?"
"I haven't got the whole of it, sir; and that's a fact."