The difficulty with Livingstone, however, was that the next day was a holiday and he did not know whether what he wanted could be got.
The butler came to his rescue. It was no difficulty to James. Such an emergency only quickened his powers. He knew places where whatever was wanted could be got, holiday or no holiday, and, "If Mr. Livingstone would only allow him—?"
"Allow you!" said Livingstone, "I give you carte blanche, only have everything ready by five o'clock.—Ask the cook to send up whatever she has; I'm hungry, and we'll talk it over whilst I'm taking supper."
"Yes, sir; yes, sir; yes, sir;" and James withdrew with a step as light as air.
"Extraordinary servant!" thought Livingstone. "Wonder I never took it in before!"
Ten minutes later Livingstone was seated at the table with an appetite like a schoolboy's.
It was the happiest meal Livingstone had eaten in many a long day; for, all alone as he was, he was not alone. Thought-of-others sat at the board and a cheery companion it is.
"Tell the laundress to be sure and bring her children around to-morrow, and be sure you make them have a good time," he said to James, as he rose from the table. James bowed.
"Yes, sir."
"And ascertain where policeman, No. 268, is to be found to-morrow. I want to send a contribution to make a good slide for some boys on his beat."