"That I'll do," said Mr. Inchbald. "And now it's a bargain. Shake hands, — and come let's go down and have some tea. — Doll, I hope your tea is good to-night, for Mr. Landholm is far from well. Sit down — I wish your brother had the other place."
That tea was a refreshment. It was served in the little back room of the first floor, which had very much the seeming of being Mrs. Nettley's cooking room too. The appointments were on no higher scale of pretension than Mrs. Forriner's, yet they gave a far higher impression of the people that used them; why, belongs to the private mystery of cups and saucers and chairs, which have an odd obstinate way of their own of telling the truth. "Doll" was the very contrast to the lady of the other tea-table. A little woman, rather fleshy, in a close cap and neat spare gown, with a face which seemed a compound of benevolent good-will, and anxious care lest everybody should not get the full benefit of it. It had known care of another kind too. If her brother had, his jovial, healthy, hearty face gave no sign.
After tea Winthrop went back to Diamond St.
"We didn't wait for you," said Mr. Forriner as he came in, — "for we thought you didn't intend probably to be back to tea."
"What success have you had?" inquired his better half.
"I have had tea, ma'am," said Winthrop.
"Have you found any place?"
"Or the place found me."
"You have got one! — Where is it?"
"In Beaver St. — the place where my brother used to be."