“Where are you goin’ to put up?”
“The man’s name is Middleton. He is to have the honor of feeding and lodging me for the present.”
“I suppose you mean Nathan Middleton. I don’t envy you. He keeps the meanest table in town.”
“Does he? Then I shall take the liberty to reform his table.”
“I don’t believe you can do it. There’s only one person in town meaner than old Middleton, and that’s his wife. What makes you board with them?”
“Can’t help it. He went to school with my father, and he left orders in his will that I should be taken care of by Middleton. You’ll take me up there?”
“Yes; you’ll have to wait till I land the mail and discharge cargo.”
“All right.”
A few minutes later Tom Temple was deposited at the gate of his future guardian. Nathan Middleton hastened to welcome him with the consideration due to so wealthy a boarder.
“My dear young friend,” he begun expansively, “I am indeed glad to welcome the son of my old friend to my humble home.”