The acquaintance had begun at the car conductors' coffee-joint, where the two occupied the same table and met at every meal.

Then they made the discovery that they both lived in the same flat, Marcus occupying a room on the floor above McTeague.

On different occasions McTeague had treated Marcus for an ulcerated tooth and had refused to accept payment.

Soon it came to be an understood thing between them.

They were "pals." McTeague, listening, heard Marcus go up-stairs to his room above.