Page:The Sins of the Cities of the Plain.djvu/16

 suppose you mean. Why do you seem so afraid to say what you, want?" he replied with a most meaning look.

"I'm not at all delicate; but wish to keep myself out of trouble. Who can tell who hears you out in the streets?" I said, hailing a cab. "I don't like to be seen speaking to a young fellow in the street. We shall be all right in my own rooms."

It was just about my dinner hour when we reached my place, so I rang the bell, and ordered my old housekeeper to lay the table for two, and both of us did ample justice to a good rumpsteak and oyster sauce, topped up with a couple of bottles of champage of an extra sec brand.

As soon as the cloth was removed, we settled ourselves comfortably over