"The watch was given to me by a rich man to whom I had done a service."
The man handed it back, but it seemed with reluctance.
"Youngster, what do you think of my mother?" he asked, abruptly.
"She treated me kindly," answered Dean, rather embarrassed.
"Did you agree to pay her for your lodging?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. Mother ain't one of the soft kind. Did she strike you as an agreeable old lady?"
"I only saw her for a few minutes," said Dean, evasively.
His companion laughed, and surveyed Dean quizzically.