Mechanically, I put on my
glasses again, took the buttons in my hand, and, turning away, bade him
good-night, and closed the door after me as usual. Well, now, there was
nothing more to be done! To think he would not take them at any price, I
muttered. They are almost new buttons; I can't understand it.
Whilst I stood, lost in thought, a man passed by and entered the office.
He had given me a little shove in his hurry. We both made excuses, and I
turned round and looked after him.
"What! is that you?" he said, suddenly, when half-way up the steps. He
came back, and I recognized him. "God bless me, man, what on earth do you
look like? What were you doing in there?"
"Oh, I had business. You are going in too, I see."
"Yes; what were you in with?"
My knees trembled; I supported myself against the wall, and stretched out
my hand with the buttons in it.
"What the deuce!" he cried. "No; this is really going too far."
"Good-night!" said I, and was about to go; I felt the tears choking my
breast.
"No; wait a minute," he said.
What was I to wait for? Was he not himself on the road to my "Uncle,"
bringing, perhaps, his engagement ring--had been hungry, perhaps, for
several days--owed his landlady?
"Yes," I replied; "if you will be out soon...."
"Of course," he broke in, seizing hold of my arm; "but I may as well tell
you I don't believe you. You are such an idiot, that it's better you come
in along with me.
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