Women are
counted out, of necessity. I am beyond callow youths, and not advanced
to heads of families. Why, I haven't a chance to fall in love,--worse
luck, too, for I need the experience in my business.
"At the boarding-house I do have a little excitement now and then. The
second night after my installation a man walked into my room without
knocking,--that is, he opened the door.
"'Gee, the old lady wasn't bluffing,' he said, in a tone of surprise.
"It was early in the evening and he was properly dressed and looked
harmless, so I wasn't frightened.
"'Good evening,' I said in my reserved way.
"'Gave you my room, did she?' he asked.
"'She gave me this one,--for a consideration.'
"'Yes, it is mine,' he said sadly. 'She has threatened to do it, lo,
these many years, but I never believed she would. Faith in fickle
human nature,--ah, how futile.'
"'Yes?'
"'Yes. You see now and then I go off with the boys, and spend my money
instead of paying my board, and when I come back I expect my room to be
awaiting me. It always has been. The old lady said she would rent it
the next time, but she had said it so many times! Well, well, well.
Broke, too. It is a sad world, isn't it? Did you ever pray for death?'
"'No, I did not.
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