“Don’t cost as much as that for a meal in here, does it?”
“I reckon the cheapest meal you can get here is half a dollar.”
The young man spoke good-naturedly, but as our readers will hear, he was of a very pleasant temperament, and yet withal, he was somewhat annoyed, as he suspected the boy was set to work him, for he had read Ike, and perceived that he was a very smart fellow.
“I reckon I can stand the meal to-day,” said Ike, and he added:
“Mebbe you will treat me.”
Burlein did not like what he considered Ike’s boldness, in fact he began to suspect that the lad was even smarter than he had supposed, and there were reasons why he was a little sensitive in one direction.
“If you expect me to pay for your meal, you are likely to prove a victim to great expectations.”
There came a peculiar look to Ike’s face as he said:
“It’s all right, you will change your ideas about me before you and I are through.”
Burlein gazed in amazement. This was not the language of a boy but of an experienced man of the world.