I should have been cowardly enough to put it under my jacket or behind me; but she held it out in front of her and stared at me with haughty defiance.
And there is my opposite neighbour"-- she jerked her head, with a pretty, graceful motion, towards the door fronting her own--"that handsome, good-looking young fellow who comes up the steps two at a time and bangs his door after him, as if he were entering a mansion." "I know the young man you mean," said Mr.Clendon.

"Have you fitted a history to him ?" "Well, no; he puzzles me rather.

I am sure he is a gentleman, and, of course, he must be poor, or he would not be here.

Sometimes I think he is a clerk looking for a situation; but he has not the appearance of a clerk, has he?
He looks more like an--an engineer; but then, his hands are always clean.

He is well groomed, though his clothes are old." She paused a moment.
"Do you know, Mr.Clendon, I fancy that he has been in trouble lately; I mean, that something is worrying him.