I've about made up my mind that I must ask you twenty-five dollars a quarter hereafter." All this was said very pleasantly, but the pill was none the less bitter.
"It seems to me, Mr.Colman," answered the cooper, soberly, "you have chosen rather a singular time for raising the rent." "Why singular, my good sir ?" inquired the landlord, urbanely.
"You know, of course, that this is a time of general business depression; my own trade in particular has suffered greatly.

For a month past I have not been able to find any work." Colman's face lost something of its graciousness.
"And I fear I shall not be able to pay my quarter's rent to-morrow." "Indeed!" said the landlord, coldly.

"Perhaps you can make it up within two or three dollars." "I can't pay a dollar toward it," said the cooper.

"It's the first time, in the five years I've lived here, that this thing has happened to me.
I've always been prompt before." "You should have economized as you found times growing harder," said Colman, harshly.

"It is hardly honest to live in a house when you know you can't pay the rent." "You shan't lose it, Mr.Colman," said the cooper, earnestly.