She paused, then added in a mysterious, confidential tone—
“I want to ask you how your tea-caddy stands?”
“It stands in the cupboard,” said I, wondering what all this might mean.
“I know that; but have you any tea to spare?”
I now began to suspect what sort of a customer the stranger was.
“Oh, you want to borrow some? I have none to spare.”
“You don't say so. Well now, that's stingy. I never asked anything of you before. I am poor, and you are rich; besides, I'm troubled so with the headache, and nothing does me any good but a cup of strong tea.”
“The money I have just given you will buy a quarter of a pound of the best.”
“I guess that isn't mine. The fowl belonged to my neighbour. She's sick; and I promised to sell it for her to buy some physic. Money!” she added, in a coaxing tone, “Where should I get money? Lord bless you! people in this country have no money; and those who come out with piles of it, soon lose it. But Emily S—— told me that you are tarnation rich, and draw your money from the old country. So I guess you can well afford to lend a neighbour a spoonful of tea.”
“Neighbour! Where do you live, and what is your name?”