"He has come to see me," thought Peter, uneasily; "but it cannot be for any good end. I won't let him in; no, I won't let him in."
"Well what are you going to do about it?" asked his would-be visitor, impatiently.
"It's too late to see you to-night."
"Fiddlestick!" retorted the other. "It isn't eight yet."
"I'm just going to bed," added Peter, becoming momentarily more uneasy at the man's obstinacy.
"Going to bed at half past seven! Come, now, that's all a joke. You don't take me for a fool!"
"But I am," urged Peter, "I always do. I'm very poor, and can't afford to keep a fire and light going all the evening."
"You poor! Well, may be you are. But that ain't neither here nor there. I have got some important business to see you about, and you must let me in."
"Come to-morrow."