"Draw your chair near mine, Mr. Rugg," said Mrs. Middleton, affably.
The tramp did so. He foresaw what was coming, but did not flinch.
CHAPTER XIX. THE WICKED COMPACT.
"It appears to me, Mr. Rugg, that you have prospered," said the lady.
"That's where you're right, ma'am, and you couldn't be righter."
"I'm as poor as I can be."
"So am I," said the tramp, adding, with a cunning look, "but times will be better now."
"Why will they be better?" asked Mrs. Middleton, suspiciously.