"I haven't the honor of knowing you, Mr. John Schickling," said Lane, in a tone of sarcasm.
"You know me well enough," said the boy, persistently.
"Just as you like, but I have no time to spend with you to-day. Pass on and let me alone," said Lane, impatiently.
"I will as soon as you pay me what you owe me."
"Why, you impudent young rascal, how should I owe you anything?"
"You hired a room from my mother at three dollars a week, and you went off owing three weeks' lodging, if you will give me nine dollars I will give you a receipt."
"This is ridiculous nonsense. I never lived in three-dollar rooms."
"All the same you had a room at our house for several weeks at the price. I have been looking for you every day since you left us."
"Boy," said Crawford Lane, "I have just returned from Europe, and therefore cannot have roomed in your house. If you have any doubt on the subject, my young friend here will tell you that we arrived in New York this morning on the ship Arcturus."
"That may be," rejoined John; "but it is two months since you left our house. You have had time to go to Europe and back."