"Evening, Mr. Evans," said a young man, putting his head in. "Why, halloa! Bert! Well, of all the——"
"Halloa!" said Mr. Carter, with attempted enthusiasm, as he rose from his chair.
"I thought you was lost," said the other, stepping in and gripping his hand. "I never thought I was going to set eyes on you again. Well, this is a surprise. You ain't forgot Joe Wilson, have you?"
"Course I haven't, Joe," said Mr. Carter. "I'd have known you anywhere."
He shook hands effusively, and Mr. Wilson, after a little pretended hesitation, accepted a chair and began to talk about old times.
"I lay you ain't forgot one thing, Bert," he said at last.
"What's that?" inquired the other.
"That arf-quid I lent you," said Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Carter, after the first shock of surprise, pretended to think, Mr. Wilson supplying him with details as to time and place, which he was in no position to dispute. He turned to Mr. Evans, who was still acting as his banker, and, after a little hesitation, requested him to pay the money. Conversation seemed to fail somewhat after that, and Mr. Wilson, during an awkward pause, went off whistling.
"Same old Joe," said Mr. Carter, lightly, after he had gone. "He hasn't altered a bit."