He probably thought ho had in hand many matters of more importance than the cultivation of his landlady's acquaintance; and she, whatever may have been her desire to carry out the promise she had made to the professor, had not found it possible to be other than indirectly observant of his welfare.
"I knocked, Mr.Bressant, but I couldn't make you hear.

I came to ask you to do me a little favor, sir." Bressant had risen to his feet, and stood leaning against the back of his chair.

He nodded and smiled good-naturedly, his hand busy with his beard, and his eyes taking in, with mild curiosity, the plain and plainly-dressed woman before him.

What favor could she expect him to do for her?
He'd just as lief agree to any thing that wouldn't interfere in any way with his arrangements.

Of course, she wouldn't ask any thing more.