This last was in response to a knock at the door. Mr. Belford entered, panama hat with two ribbons in hand.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Franklin. I thought I might find you here.".
"Yes, I'm at leisure. What can I do for you? Smoke?"
"No; I can't to-day. The fact is, I've a bad tooth, and smoking troubles it."
"Indeed? Let me see it. I'm a bit of a dentist."
"Are you? That's fortunate, for it aches sadly, and our nearest dentist is five miles away."
"Sit right here by the window, where I can have a good light."
Mr. Belford, a physical coward, could not bear pain; and though he was unwilling to be under obligations to one whom he considered a mere boy, he sat down in the proffered chair, and opened his mouth dutifully.
"Ah, yes—dentes sapentia. It's quite gone. Shall I take it out for you?"
"Will it be painful?"