“Tom Drift, you know; we had a row the first day.”
“I know,” replied Joe; “about that everlasting watch of yours, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Charlie, “I didn’t like to lend it him, because—”
“I know all about that,” said Halliday. “You were squeamish about something or other he wanted it for. Well, the watch belonged to you, I suppose, and you aren’t obliged to lend it to anybody. What on earth do you want to go worrying about the thing any more for?”
“I’m not; only I wanted to be friends with Tom Drift.”
“What for?” demanded Joe.
“Oh, because—because I promised his mother I would be,” pleaded Charlie.
“All I can say is, you had no business to promise any one to be friends with a fellow you never saw.”
“But she said he was a nice fellow; and besides he made my watch go when it had stopped,” added Charlie, as a great argument.
“Why, Charlie, you are a greater little noodle than I took you for. Every one who calls that precious watch a good name is your master, and you’re his slave.”