It’s just as well for two fellows to know the worst of one another before they

begin to live together.”

 

I laughed at this cross-examination. “I keep a bull pup,” I said, “and I object

to rows because my nerves are shaken, and I get up at all sorts of ungodly

hours, and I am extremely lazy. I have another set of vices when I’m well, but

those are the principal ones at present.”

 

“Do you include violin-playing in your category of rows?” he asked, anxiously.

 

“It depends on the player,” I answered. “A well-played violin is a treat for the

gods—a badly-played one——”

 

“Oh, that’s all right,” he cried, with a merry laugh. “I think we may consider

the thing as settled—that is, if the rooms are agreeable to you.”

 

“When shall we see them?”

 

“Call for me here at noon to-morrow, and we’ll go together and settle

everything,” he answered.

 

“All right—noon exactly,” said I, shaking his hand.

 

We left him working among his chemicals, and we walked together towards my

hotel.