"Puttin' out" was not a particular
novelty in Bean Alley, but the presence of guests added a picturesque
feature.
"If you can wait a week longer," said Phineas with some attempt at
dignity, "I'll be in a position to settle up to date. I'm expectin' to
git a job--"
At this the rent man threw back his head and laughed, and the
youngsters back of him laughed, and even the Boarder stopped crying a
moment to see what had happened.
"But he really is," insisted Miss Lady, coming to Phineas' assistance.
"He's going to work the first of the week. Surely you can wait a week
longer."
"I can, Miss!" said the man in the door, gallantly. "I been waiting a
week longer on Flathers for more'n two months. There ain't absolutely
no use in arguing the matter further. It's pay up, or git out,
_to-day_."
"Well, if this ain't the limit!" said Phineas, with the air of one who
had reached it many times before, but never such a limitless limit as
this.
"But if we pay this month's rent for him, can't you let him make up
the back rent later?" argued Miss Lady, trying to comfort Maria who
threatened to become hysterical.
"When you've known Flathers as long as I have, you won't talk about
him paying up.
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