Something told him that Mr.
Rushcroft was about to be liberally fed.
CHAPTER III
MR. RUSHCROFT DISSOLVES, MR. JONES INTERVENES, AND TWO MEN RIDE AWAY
Mr. Rushcroft explained that he had had his supper. In fact, he went
on to confess, he had been compelled, like the dog, to "speak" for it.
What could be more disgusting, more degrading, he mourned, than the
spectacle of a man who had appeared in all of the principal theatres
of the land as star and leading support to stars, settling for his
supper by telling stories and reciting poetry in the tap-room of a
tavern?
"Still," he consented, when Barnes insisted that it would be a
kindness to him, "since you put it that way, I dare say I could do
with a little snack, as you so aptly put it. Just a bite or two. Like
you, my dear fellow, I loathe and detest eating alone. I covet
companionship, convivial com--what have you ready, Miss Tilly?"
Miss Tilly was a buxom female of forty or thereabouts, with
spectacles. She was one of a pair of sedentary waitresses who had been
so long in the employ of Mr. Jones that he hated the sight of them.
Close proximity to a real star affected her intensely. In fact, she
was dazzled.
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