"
From Mr. Wrenn: "Oh, Morty! So early?"
Tom: "What's the big hurry?"
"I've got to run clear over to Jersey City." Morton was cordial,
but not convincing.
"Say--uh--Morton," said Tom, kindly of face, his bald head
shining behind his twin bangs, as he rose, "I'm going to have
Wrenn up to dinner at my boarding-house next Monday. Like to
have you come along. It's a fine place--Mrs. Arty--she's the
landlady--she's a wonder. There's going to be a vacant room
there--maybe you two fellows could frame it up to take it, heh?
Understand, I don't get no rake-off on this, but we all like to
do what we can for M--"
"No, no!" said Morton. "Sorry. Couldn't do it. Staying with
my brother-in-law--costs me only 'bout half as much as it would
I don't do much chasing around when I'm in town.... I'm going
to save up enough money for a good long hike. I'm going clean
to St. Petersburg!... But I've had a good time to-night."
"Glad. Great stuff about you fellows on the cattle-ship," said Tom.
Morton hastened on, protectively, a bit critically: "You fellows
sport around a good deal, don't you?.
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