CHAPTER XI. JOSHUA STIRS UP THE WRONG CUSTOMER.
When Walter went into the house to dinner, the appearance of the table indicated the truth of what Joshua had told him. Since Mr. Drummond had ascertained the pecuniary position of his visitor, he no longer felt it incumbent upon him to keep up appearances. Corned beef and potatoes, and bread without butter, constituted the mid-day meal. This certainly differed considerably from the supper and breakfast of which Walter had partaken.
"Sit right down, Conrad," said Mr. Drummond. "Eat your dinner as fast as you can, and go back to the store."
It did not take Walter long to eat his dinner. Corned beef he had never liked, though now, having no choice, he managed to eat a little.
"If you're through, you needn't wait for me," said Mr. Drummond. "We don't stand on ceremony here. Tell Nichols he may go to his dinner. I'll be right over; so, if there are any customers you can't wait on, ask them to wait."
In the evening Walter found that his carpet-bag had been removed from the spare chamber to a small, uncarpeted back room, furnished with the barest necessaries.
He smiled to himself.
"I shan't be in danger of forgetting my change of circumstances," he said to himself.