Part 34 (2/2)
”Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.”
”You know I do, Rodney,” and he gave Rodney's hand an a.s.suring pressure.
Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business considerations.
Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he treated him with marked coldness.
On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best suit was in p.a.w.n, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.
”h.e.l.lo!” exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pa.s.s on with a cool nod.
”Stop!” said Philip, looking offended.
”I am in a hurry,” returned Jasper. ”I can't stop today.”
”You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?”
”Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.”
”I'll go along with you.”
Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
”Wouldn't another day do?”
”No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,”
”You usually are,” sneered Jasper.
”That is so. I have been out of luck lately.”
”I am sorry, but I can't help it as I see.”
”How much money do you think I have in my pocket?”
”I don't know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.”
”Just ten cents.”
”That isn't much,” said Jasper, indifferently.
”Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!”
”You seem to think I am made of money,” said Jasper sharply. ”I haven't got much more myself.”
”Then you might have. You get a good salary.”
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