"Was it he? He used to sit next you in school, didn't he?"
"Yes, for six months. Tom and I were chums."
"Did he say whether his family was well?"
"What are you thinking of, mother? Do you suppose Tom Carver would notice me, now that I am a poor newsboy?"
"Why shouldn't he?" demanded the mother, her pale face flushing. "Why shouldn't he notice my boy?"
"Because he doesn't choose to," answered Dan, with a short laugh. "Didn't you know it was disgraceful to be poor?"
"Thank Heaven, it isn't that!" ejaculated Mrs. Mordaunt.
"Well, it might as well be. Tom thinks me beneath his notice now. You should have seen him turn his head to the other side as he walked by, twirling his light cane."
"Did you speak to him, Dan?"