"I understand," said Dan, coldly, for he suspected this to be a subterfuge.
"No, you don't understand," said Shorty, eagerly. "You think what I say is a sham, but you wouldn't if you knew all."
"If I knew all," repeated Dan, surprised.
"Yes, I shall have to tell you. I didn't mean to, but I don't want you to misunderstand me. The fact is, Dan," Shorty added, sheepishly, "I've got more than myself to provide for now."
"What? You don't mean to say?" ejaculated Dan.
"I was married yesterday, Dan," said the cigar dealer, almost apologetically, "and I've been buying furniture, and the fact is, I haven't got a cent to spare."
"Of course you haven't," said Dan. "I never dreamed of this. Is your wife—about your size?"
"No, Dan, she's rather tall. There she is, crossing the street. Do you see her?"
Dan looked, and saw a tall woman, of twenty-five or thereabouts, approaching the cigar stand. She was very plain, with a large mouth and a long, aquiline nose.
"That's my wife," said the cigar dealer, regarding his tall partner with evident pride. "Julia, my dear, this is my friend, Dan Mordaunt."