'Do you live in London?' I asked presently.
'Yes,' he replied, 'although it does not agree with my delicate throat. But we cannot choose where we would wish to live.'
'I wonder,' I said, a little hesitatingly, 'whether you could tell me where to find a lodging?'
'Ah,' he cried, 'you may be sure of this! If I can assist you in any way I shall be very happy—very happy indeed. Of course it is to some extent a question of what you are prepared to pay.'
'I must not pay much,' I said, 'because, you see, I may not get anything to do just at present.'
'So you have come to London to try your fortune?'
'Yes,' I said. 'I only want just a bedroom.'
He was looking up at the rack over my head.
'Your luggage is in the van?' he remarked.
'I have no luggage,' I answered, realising that this must appear a somewhat serious drawback.