"I have not got any money just now," he said to the restaurant keeper, "but if you will let me have something to eat I will gladly come back this afternoon and pay you double."
Neither man spoke at first. Philip was always unconscious of the quaint discrepancy between his style of speech and his attire. He used to resent bitterly the astonishment exhibited by strangers, but to-day he was far removed above these considerations, and he backed up his request by a pleasant smile.
The fat man grew apoplectic and turned his eyes to the sky.
"Well, I'm——" he spluttered.
The greengrocer laughed, and Philip blushed.
"Do you refuse?" he said, with his downright manner and direct stare.
"Well, of all the cool cheek——" The stout person's feelings were too much for him. He could find no other words.
"It is a fair offer," persisted the boy. "You don't think I mean to swindle you, surely?"
"Well, there! I never did!"
But the greengrocer intervened.