"Not at present, thank you," said Paul, smiling.
"When you do, I'm on hand," said Jim. "Now I'll go and get some grub."
He shuffled along toward Ann street, where there was a cheap
eating-house, in which ten cents would pay for a plate of meat. He was
decidedly hungry, and did justice to the restaurant, whose style of
cookery, though not very choice, suited him so well that he could
readily have eaten three plates of meat instead of one, but for the
prudent thought that compelled him to reserve enough to embark in
business afterwards. Jim was certainly a hard ticket; but Paul's
unexpected kindness had won him, and produced a more profound impression
than a dozen floggings could have done. I may add that Jim proved luck
in his business investment, and by the close of the afternoon had enough
money to provide himself with supper and lodging, besides a small fund
to start with the next day.
Paul sold three more neckties, and then, though it yet lacked an hour of
the time when he generally proposed to close, he prepared to go home. He
wanted to communicate the good news to his mother and little Jimmy.
Mrs. Hoffman raised her eyes from her sewing as he entered.
"Well, Paul," she said, "have you heard anything of the ring?"
"Yes, mother, it's sold."
"Is it? Well, we must do without it, then," said his mother in a tone of
disappointment.
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