“Surely,” said Hansel. “Glad to have you.”
“Hold on, man! You’re not going?” asked Harry.
“I must,” replied Phin, who had arisen and was moving toward the door. “I’m soliciting trade, you see, and I’ve got a good many fellows to look up yet. I’ll come around some other day and see you, Harry. Very glad to have met you, Mr. Dana. I shall be around to see you in a day or so, if I may? Thank you. I know several fellows I think you would like to meet and who will be very glad to meet you. By the way, Harry, there’s another thing.” He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “You don’t happen to know of any fellow who is looking for a nice room without board in the village, do you?”
Harry shook his head.
“If you do, just mention Mrs. Freer’s to him, will you? She’s got a very comfortable downstairs room which she will rent very cheap. Good-by; see you both again.”
And Mr. Phineas Dorr passed out.
Hansel looked across at Harry inquiringly.
“Poor old Phin,” muttered Harry, smiling and shaking his head.
“Why?” asked Hansel. “What’s the matter with him?”
“Nothing, except that he’s as poor as a church mouse. I don’t believe he’s seen a beefsteak near to in his life. He looked bad enough last year, but this year he’s thinner than ever.”