“Then I will certainly accept your invitation,” said Walter, smiling.
“My wife made me promise to keep you. She wants to show her gratitude. Besides, you may be wanted to appear against the prisoner to-morrow morning.”
“I shall be glad to help him to his deserts,” said Walter. “The sooner he is locked up the better it will be for the community.”
Walter had no reason to regret his acceptance of the invitation. Mrs. Gregory exerted herself to the utmost in providing an appetizing supper, far in advance of anything he would have had set before him at his boarding-house, Mrs. Canfield being an indifferent cook. Generally her butter was strong and her tea weak, while the contrary should have been the case, and her biscuit heavy with saleratus. Walter thoroughly enjoyed his supper, and was almost ashamed of his appetite. But it gave his hostess great pleasure to see his appreciation of the meal, and she took it as a compliment to herself as a cook.
After supper Walter and Mr. Gregory sat down to business. He explained the methods of the insurance company for which he was acting as agent, and found Mr. Gregory an interested and intelligent listener.
“You may write me a policy for a thousand dollars,” he said.
“You will need to pass a medical examination,” said Walter.
“Certainly; will our village physician do?”
“Yes.”
“Then take your hat and walk over with me. It is only half-a-mile distant.”