Rich Man, Poor Man

ion that something startling was in the wind had begun gradually to dawn in

er it continued, the more it seemed to take on the haste, not to say the impulsiveness, of an Alpine avalanche. Food, plat

d Lena, the waitress, firmly by the wrist. "You give me back that slaw!" directed Miss H

ntly defen

lks callin' to see Mrs. Tilney at eight, I

an ask in the whole street if she's a mind, only I'm no

was a plump, pasty young man who worked in Wall

madam giving

med to comprehend. Shrugging her shoulders, she ra

she murmure

hers; neither had they missed the vague evidences that

up spoke

oming?" he abruptly asked.

was equally curious; and Mrs. Je

that?" s

s no one seemed able to answer him, he looked round th

d able to te

is knife and fork he silently went on eating. Hi

ver, he had given little heed to that. Assured that something was happening, he was at the same time little interested in its

ver what had occurred between them there in the dining-room before dinner. Then, besides, what was it t

rty, I see!" knowing

ck n

g about the table, he bobbed his head, sm

him a flashing smile, all

Mr. Varick!

y New Year, son!"

ax, the broken-down, disappointed life-insurance

nd touched him. She was a tall, faded woman in black silk and a lace cap, with the frail pink cheeks that go with c

omax, too, had looked young; when he had seemed slender, vital, energetic. Varick saw the look

second flight of stairs when Mr. Mapleson appeared suddenly at the stairhead

are! I was just

more bustling than ever. About it, though, was an uneasiness that was unmist

out?" he asked,

med to fuss and flutter even more. Then, swiftly

appealed. "It is a

ent a fit of shyness more than usually awkward seemed painfully to convulse

he faltered, "I have

f him. "I beg of you do not go yet!" he piped; and he peered

azed down at the white face turned up to his. Then

leson?" he asked. "You're n

t the question

roubl

had begun, when the little man g

enewed astonishment. If it wasn't for his own sake that Mr. Mapleson had begged him to

aid sharply; "it

up at Varick, his face transfigured; and again, his

he said; "and she is very good an

vague understanding had begun to creep into his mind, and qu

s eyes grew wide-"tell me," he faltered, "you do think h

nodded

lovely." And at that Mr. Mapleson

, again he threw

rdly to falter-"Why, then you would-would--" There he paused. Moistening his lips, the little man quivered suddenly: "

to the brows. In other words he had seen at last exactly what Mr. Mapleson meant by his vague, faltering phrases. If Bab were rich, if Bab w