“Bad pennies always come back,” said Joe.
“Have you—— I am afraid you have not been fortunate,” said the young lady, hesitating as she noticed Joe’s shabby clothes.
“Do you think less of me for that?”
“No,” said Annie Raymond warmly. “It is you I like, not your clothes. You may have been unfortunate, but I am sure you deserved success.”
“You are a true friend, Miss Annie, so I don’t mind telling you that I was successful.”
Annie Raymond looked astonished.
“And these clothes—” she began.
“I put on for Oscar Norton’s benefit. I wanted to see how he would receive me. He evidently rejoiced at my bad fortune.”
“Oscar is a mean boy. Joe, you must come to our house to supper.”
“Thank you, I will; but I will go round to the hotel and change my clothes.”