Ah, if he could have lived to see it, he'd have died content!" The pull at the boarding-house bell was answered by a rather slatternly maid, who informed the visitor that she guessed Mr.Pearson was in; he 'most always was around lunch time.

So Captain Elisha waited in a typical boarding-house parlor, before a grate with no fire in it and surrounded by walnut and plush furniture, until Pearson himself came hurrying downstairs.
"Say, you're a brick, Captain Warren!" he declared, as they shook hands.
"I hoped you'd come to-day.

Why haven't you before ?" The captain explained his having mislaid the address.
"Oh, was that it?
Then I'm glad I reminded you.

Rather a cheeky thing to do, but I've been a reporter, and nerve is necessary in that profession.
I began to be afraid living among the blue-bloods had had its effect, and you were getting finicky as to your acquaintances." "You didn't believe any such thing." "Didn't I?
Well, perhaps I didn't.

Come up to my room.