This he said with the serio-comic air which he seemed unable to avoid assuming whenever he talked with this traveling companion of his.
Tode plunged at once into the pith of the matter.
"Yes, sir, I've come to talk about business. I've got to leave your hotel, and I thought I'd better come and let you know."
"Indeed! Have you decided to change your occupation? Going to study law or medicine, Tode?"
"I haven't made up my mind," said Tode. "I've just got to the leaving part."
"Bad policy, my boy. Never leave one good foothold until you see just where to put your foot when you spring."
"Ho!" said Tode, "I have stepped in a bog and sunk in; now I've got to spring, and trust to luck for getting on a stone."
Mr. Hastings leaned back in his chair and laughed.
"You'll do," he said at length. "But seriously, my boy, what has happened at the hotel? I heard good accounts of you, and I thought you were getting on finely. Does Jim leave all the boots for you to black, or what is the matter? You musn't quarrel with a good business for trifles."
"It's not Jim nor boots, sir, it's bottles."