But though love had passed him by, war came home to him, touching him with intimate shock upon the income and then upon his habits; but this he endured, not without discomposure, indeed, but without resentment, for one of his best habits was to be honestly and thoroughly patriotic. In sundry phases war came to him; but the particular phase which, at the time of the beginning of this chronicle, interrupted him in the task of figuring up personal accounts, wore white whiskers and an ingratiating expression and was a professional beggar, not for pay but for patriotism.
The professional and patriotic beggar fixed E. Van Tenner with a bright and amiable eye and said—that is, he would have said if E. Van Tenner hadn’t first said:
“No.” And then repeated it with level and considered firmness: “No. No. No.”
“But——” began the professional beggar.
“I subscribed liberally to the first Liberty Loan.”
“I know. But——”
“More liberally to the second Liberty Loan.”
“Exactly. Nevertheless——”
“As for War Saving Stamps—I see them in your glittering eyes—I know all the arguments——”
“Except one,” interrupted the beggar. “Quite useless,” said E. Van Tenner firmly. “However, proceed!”