Leightonopenedthedoor。Theysawalittleroom，bluewithtobacco—smoke。Flankingthefireweredeepsettleshidingallbutthelegsofthemenwholoungedinthem。Betweenthesettlesstoodatable，coveredwithmugsandglasses。Thescenewaspicturesque——fairerthanthecutglasspalacesofthetown。
\"Ohyes，he’sthere，\"hecalled，andafteramoment’shesitationcameout。
\"Wouldhecome？\"
\"No。Ishouldn’tsayso，\"repliedLeighton，withafurtiveglance。HeknewthatRickiewasamilksop。\"Firstnight，youknow，sir，amongoldfriends。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidRickie。\"Buthemightlikeaturndownthevillage。Itlooksstuffyinsidethere，andpoorfunprobablytowatchothersdrinking。\"