"'Never mind,' he answered; so he paid me the full price for two Journals and two Transcripts, and off we went."
"What sort of a person was he?"
"He was a stout man, over forty, and looked to me like a sailor. I shouldn't wonder if he was an officer of some ship."
"Did you like his looks?"
"Why," said Charlie, hesitatingly, "not exactly; not so much as I did of the other gentleman. There was something about his eye which I didn't like. Still he acted up to his agreement, and paid me all he promised."
"How long were you together?"
"About an hour and a half. We walked round the Common and the Public Garden, went into the State House and the Public Library. However, he didn't seem to care much about them. He seemed to take more interest in me, somehow, and asked me a good many questions; whether I had any parents living, and how long I had lived in the city. When I told him you were born in Havana, he said he used to live there himself."
"Indeed!" said Mrs. Codman.
"He also told me that he might like to have me go round with him again, and told me to call to-morrow at the Quincy House, where he is stopping. But, mother, isn't it most time for supper? Here, just let me set the table, if you are busy."
"Very well, Charlie; I shall be glad to have you do so, as I am in a hurry to finish my sewing."