"Very well, sir."
On Thursday evening Scott made a call at Seth Lawton's boarding house.
"I am glad to see you, Scott," said Mr. Lawton, cordially. "But you look sober."
"I feel so, Cousin Seth."
"Why is that? Anything unpleasant happened?"
"I applied to Mr. Little for a new suit. He declined to buy me one, but said I could have an old suit of Loammi's altered over for me."
"Didn't you mention the money you had placed in his hands?"
"Yes, but he said I was not earning my board, and this would make up the deficit."
Seth Lawton rose from his chair and paced the room. It was his habit to do so when he was disturbed.
"I didn't think Ezra Little would be so mean, though I knew he was far from liberal. What did you say to his proposal?"