“I suppose I ought to remember you.”
“To be sure you ought. We were very good friends in the old days.”
One reason of the squire's distant manner was that Mr. Temple, though a rich man according to his own account, had a somewhat seedy look. The squire was afraid he intended to ask for help on the score of old friendship. It was with a hesitating voice, therefore, that he asked:
“How has the world treated you?”
“I am not rich, to be sure. Probably I am not worth more than a hundred thousand dollars, at the outside; but before five years roll over my head, I see my way clear to half a million.”
Squire Leech's manner changed instantaneously.
“I am glad to see you,” he said, cordially. “How long have you been in town?”
“Only just arrived. I inquired my way here as soon as I heard that you were living here.”
“Are you at the hotel?”
“Yes. I left my luggage there.”