"How do you do, Mr. Porter?" was the landlady's greeting. Mr. Porter had once boarded with her.
"Very well, thank you, Mrs. Draper. How is business? Pretty full, eh?"
"Yes, sir; I've only got one small room vacant."
"May we see it?"
"It won't suit you, Mr. Porter."
"It may suit my young friend here."
"A relative of yours?" inquired Mrs. Draper.
"No, but he is a young friend in whom I feel an interest."
"I shall be very glad if the room suits him, then."
Mrs. Draper led the way up-stairs to the vacant room. It was small, but neatly carpeted, and provided all that was needful in a chamber.