roses are worth looking at.” Jacob smiled in a peculiar fashion. “I have a friend waiting for me in the third-class portion of the train,” he replied. “Until eleven o’clock, Mr. Pedlar.” [Pg 18] [Pg 18] CHAPTER II The melancholy man was seated in his favourite corner, gazing out at the landscape. He scarcely looked up as Jacob entered. It chanced that they were alone. “Richard Dauncey,” Jacob said impressively, as soon as the train had started again, “you once sat in that corner and smiled at me when I got in. I think you also wished me good morning and admired my rose.” “It was two years ago,” Dauncey assented. “Did you ever hear of a man,” Jacob went on, “who made his fortune with a smile? Of course not. You are probably the first. Look at me steadfastly. This is to be a heart-to-heart talk. Why do you go about looking as though you were the most miserable creature on God’s earth?” Richard Dauncey sighed. “You needn’t rub it in. My appearance is against me in business and in every way. I can’t help it. I have troubles.” “They are at an end,” Jacob declared. “Don’t jump out of the window or do anything ridiculous, [Pg 19]my friend, but sit still and listen. You have been starving with a wife and two children on three pounds a week. Your salary from to-day is ten pounds a week, with expenses.” [Pg 19] Dauncey shook his head. “You are not well this morning, man.” Jacob produced the letters and handed them over to his friend, who read them with many exclamations of wonder. When he returned them, there was a little flush in his face.
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