"I hope, Mr. Oakley, you and Benjamin will some time favor me with a visit at my humble home. I cannot promise you as good accommodations as you have at home, but I shall be very glad to see you—very."
"Thank you, sir," said John.
Ben, who was not remarkable for politeness, did not deign a word in reply to his uncle's invitation.
In spite of Mr. Huxter's not very prepossessing exterior John began to think him quite a pleasant man, and felt obliged to him for his invitation, though he felt no particular desire to accept it.
After supper was over, Mr. Huxter turned to John:—
"I am going out on the door-step to smoke my pipe. I suppose you don't smoke?"
"No, sir," said John.
"I was going to ask you to join me; but of course you don't smoke. It isn't good for boys. Do you smoke, Ben?"
"I don't smoke a pipe," said Ben, glancing with some disgust at the clay pipe, the bowl of which his uncle was filling.
"I suppose you, being a young gentleman, smoke cigars. They are more aristocratic. But I'm a poor man, and I can't afford them. Well, if you'll get your cigar, we'll have a social smoke together."