“I'm all right,” said Mr. Wright, with dignity, as the other hooked the door open with his stick and nodded at him.
“Well, why don't you look it?” demanded the lively Mr. Hills. “Have you got your feet wet, or what?”
“Oh, be quiet,” said Miss Bradshaw, smiling at him.
“Right-o,” said Mr. Hills, dropping into a chair by the counter and caressing his moustache. “But you wouldn't speak to me like that if you knew what a terrible day I've had.”
“What have you been doing?” asked the girl.
“Working,” said the other, with a huge sigh. “Where's the millionaire? I came round on purpose to have a look at him.”
“Him and mother have gone to the Empire?” said Miss Bradshaw.
Mr. Hills gave three long, penetrating whistles, and then, placing his cigar with great care on the counter, hid his face in a huge handkerchief. Miss Bradshaw, glanced from him to the frowning Mr. Wright, and then, entering the parlour, closed the door with a bang. Mr. Hills took the hint, and with a somewhat thoughtful grin departed.
He came in next evening for another cigar, and heard all that there was to hear about the Empire. Mrs. Bradshaw would have treated him but coldly, but the innocent Mr. Kemp, charmed by his manner, paid him great attention.
“He's just like what I was at his age,” he said. “Lively.”