But I shall have a hard time of it, anyhow.

Dan will be so mad when he finds out that he can't ruin me, that he will do something desperate." David, however, did not waste much time in thinking of the troubles that might come in the future.

He preferred to think about pleasanter things.

He was so wholly engrossed with his plans that it seemed to him that he was not more than five minutes in reaching the landing.
There was no one in the street, and nothing there worth looking at, except General Gordon's white horse, which was hitched to a post in front of Silas Jones's store.

As David approached, the General himself came out, accompanied by the grocer, who was as polite and attentive to his rich customers as he was indifferent to the poor ones.
"Ah, David!" exclaimed the General, extending his hand; "how are times now?
Business looking up any ?" "Y-yes, sir," stammered the boy, who could scarcely speak at all.