"Aha! the beauteous Becky?"
"I dunno; I've seen a woman in dere."
"You're sure Ike has gone off, are you?"
"True. I am answered. My friend, there's the cigar. There, too, are the fifteen cents wherewith to pay for my frugal luncheon. Look upon the luncheon when it comes as yours. I bethink me of an immediate engagement," and rising abruptly Mr. Ricketty hastened out of the restaurant into the street.
"CHICKEN IN DE BOWL, DRAW ONE!"
He glanced quickly through the pawnshop window and made out the figure of a woman standing within among the shadows. He adjusted his hat to his head and a winsome smile to his countenance, and entered.
"Good-morning!" he said, breezily, to the young woman who came forward, "where's Ike?"
"Gone out," she answered, looking him over carefully.