Part 16 (1/2)
”I don't think you would; but we business men must not regard such things.”
Tom listened to him with incredulity. Only the day before he would have put full confidence in his statement; but he had learned a lesson, thanks to Graham himself.
”How far are you going, Miss Watson?” continued Graham.
”To Cincinnati. My mother and I are going to live there.”
”It is a very pleasant city. I have often been there--on business.”
”What is your business, Mr. Graham?” Tom could not help asking.
”I see you are a Yankee,” said Graham, smiling. ”Yankees are very inquisitive--always asking questions.”
”Are you a Yankee, Mr. Graham?” asked Jennie. ”You asked me where I was going.”
”A fair hit,” said Graham. ”No, I am not a Yankee. I am a native of New York.”
”And I of New Jersey,” said Tom.
”Oh, you are a foreigner then,” said Graham. ”We always call Jerseymen foreigners.”
”It is a stupid joke, I think,” said Tom, who was loyal to his native State.
”You didn't answer Tom's question,” said Jennie, who was a very straightforward young lady.
”Oh, my father is a commission merchant,” answered Graham.
”What does he deal in?”
”Articles too numerous to mention. Tom, will you pa.s.s me the potatoes?”
Dinner was soon over, and the pa.s.sengers went upon deck. Graham lit a cigar.
”Have a cigar, Tom?” he said.
”No, thank you; I don't smoke.”
”You'll soon learn. I'll see you again soon.”
”Tom,” said Jennie, ”tell me about this Mr. Graham. What do you know about him?”
”I don't like to tell what I know,” said Tom, hesitating.
”But I want you to. You introduced me, you know.”
”What I know is not to his advantage. I don't like to talk against a man.”
”You needn't mind telling me.”
On reflection Tom decided that he ought to tell what he knew, for he felt that Jennie ought to be put on her guard against a man whom he did not consider a suitable acquaintance for her.