“I did meet him,” said Randolph, in so significant a tone that both his father and mother looked at him for an explanation.
“Where do you think I saw him?” continued Randolph.
“In some low place,” suggested his mother.
“Not at all. He was eating an ice-cream at Delmonico’s.”
“Pretty well for a penniless boy!” said Mrs. Briggs. “I suppose he expects us to supply him with money to pay for his extravagant outlays.”
“Oh, he didn’t pay for it himself. He got Mr. Vivian to treat him.”
“Mr. Vivian!”
“Yes: he had picked up Mr. Vivian and Laura somewhere, and probably suggested going in to take an ice-cream.”
“No doubt Mr. Vivian invited him,” said Mr. Briggs, who did not allow dislike to run away with his common-sense.
“He is certainly the most forward and impudent boy I ever met,” exclaimed Mrs. Briggs, whose annoyance arose largely from Gilbert’s succeeding better with the Vivians than her own son.