"Can you lend me a few matches?" he asked.
"Certainly, Mr. Babcock; won't you step in and sit down?" said Scott, cordially.
The visitor hesitated, then said, slowly: "I will do so, but I shall not be very good company."
"I am glad of the chance of making your acquaintance," said Scott. "I have only seen you on the stairs heretofore."
"I don't think you will see much more of me," said the visitor, soberly.
"Why not? Are you intending to move away?"
"It is not exactly a matter of choice," said Babcock.
Scott could guess why, for his visitor was very poorly clad. His suit was frayed and rusty, and there were unmistakable marks of poverty about his whole appearance.
Scott felt delicate about speaking of this. He contented himself with saying: "I am sorry to hear it."