With this extremely lucid explanation of his decision and his intentions, Tode put on his hat and went to the post-office. Thus it happened that when Mr. Hastings mail had been delivered as usual, the boy hesitated, and finally asked with an unusual falter in his voice: "Can I see Mr. Hastings a minute?" "Well, sir," said that gentleman, whirling around from his table, and putting himself in a lounging attitude. "Well, sir, what can I do for you this evening? Anything in the line of business?" This he said with the serio-comic air which he seemed unable to avoid assuming whenever he talked with this traveling companion of his. Tode plunged at once into the pith of the matter. "Yes, sir, I've come to talk about business. I've got to leave your hotel, and I thought I'd better come and let you know." "Indeed! Have you decided to change your occupation? Going to study law or medicine, Tode?" "I haven't made up my mind," said Tode. "I've just got to the leaving part." "Bad policy, my boy. Never leave one good foothold until you see just where to put your foot when you spring." "Ho!" said Tode, "I have stepped in a bog and sunk in; now I've got to spring, and trust to luck for getting on a stone." Mr. Hastings leaned back in his chair and laughed. "You'll do," he said at length. "But seriously, my boy, what has happened at the hotel? I heard good accounts of you, and I thought you were getting on finely. Does Jim leave all the boots for you to black, or what is the matter? You musn't quarrel with a good business for trifles." "It's not Jim nor boots, sir, it's bottles." "Bottles!" "Yes, sir, bottles. I'm not going to put 'em to my neighbors any more; and I don't see what any of you mean by it. Like enough, though, you never noticed that figure?" "Are you sure you know what you are talking about, Tode?" inquired Mr. Hastings, with a curious mixture of amusement and dignity. "Because I certainly do not seem able to follow your train of thought." "Why, that Habakkuk; he's the one who says it, sir. But then you know it's in the Bible, and I've made up my mind not to do it." "Ah, I begin to understand. So you came up here to-night for the purpose of delivering a temperance lecture for my benefit. That was kind, certainly, and I am all ready to listen. Proceed." Never was sarcasm more entirely lost. Tode was as bright and sharp as ever, and had never been taught to be respectful. "No, sir," he answered, promptly, "I didn't come for that at all. I came to tell you that I had got to quit your business; but if you want to hear a temperance lecture there's Habakkuk; he can do it better than anybody _I_ know of." Mr. Hastings' dignity broke once more into laughter. "Well, Tode," he said at last, "I'm sorry you're such a simpleton. I had a higher opinion of your sharpness. I think Mr. Roberts meant to do well by you. Who has been filling your head with these foolish ideas?" "Habakkuk has, sir. Only one who has said a word."