“Unless you follow my directions, Mr. Congreve,” he said, “I won’t answer for your life. You have been going at too quick a pace altogether.”
James was sensible enough to follow this advice, and that is why we find him a guest at the quiet village hotel.
The physician’s advice proved to be good. His wasted energies were recuperated, his thin cheeks filled out and showed a healthy color, his appetite improved, and he felt himself again.
When the first week in September arrived, he felt that he was well enough to go back to the city, to more congenial scenes. He was heartily tired of the country, and anxious to get away. Only one thing remained to be done, and that was to collect what Philip owed him.
“I can’t wait any longer,” he said to himself. “I must compel the boy to pay up. It will liquidate my hotel bill and leave me something over. I can’t let the thing stand any longer.”
Soon after he had come to this conclusion, Philip entered his friend’s chamber.
“How are you, Phil?” said Congreve, carelessly.
“All right!”
“By the way, I’ve got some news for you.”
“What is it?”