“You must enlarge your ideas, Joshua. People make money here fast, and they spend it fast. Country people are mean. They count every cent, and are more afraid to spend a cent than city people are to spend a dollar.”
“My father’s mean,” said Joshua. “What do you think he used to allow me a week for spending money?”
“A dollar?”
“Only twenty-five cents.”
“The old man was tight, that’s a fact. A young man of your age ought to have had five dollars. However, you’re in the city now, and are better off. I feel hungry. Shall we go in and get some oysters? I know a tiptop place.”
“How much will it cost?”
“Oh, I’ll treat!” said Sam, nonchalantly. “Come along.”
As Joshua had no objection to the oysters, but only to the expense, he readily accepted the invitation, which he would hardly have done had he known that his companion had but ten cents in his pocket.
Sam led the way into a recess, and, in a tone of authority, ordered “stews for two.”
They were soon brought, and speedily disposed of.