'A friend.'
'A stranger!' rejoined the blind man. 'Strangers are not my friends.
What do you do there?'
'I saw your company come out, and waited here till they were gone. I
want a lodging.'
'A lodging at this time!' returned Stagg, pointing towards the dawn as
though he saw it. 'Do you know the day is breaking?'
'I know it,' rejoined the other, 'to my cost. I have been traversing
this iron-hearted town all night.'
'You had better traverse it again,' said the blind man, preparing to
descend, 'till you find some lodgings suitable to your taste. I don't
let any.'
'Stay!' cried the other, holding him by the arm.
'I'll beat this light about that hangdog face of yours (for hangdog it
is, if it answers to your voice), and rouse the neighbourhood besides,
if you detain me,' said the blind man. 'Let me go. Do you hear?'
'Do YOU hear!' returned the other, chinking a few shillings together,
and hurriedly pressing them into his hand. 'I beg nothing of you. I will
pay for the shelter you give me. Death! Is it much to ask of such as
you! I have come from the country, and desire to rest where there are
none to question me. I am faint, exhausted, worn out, almost dead.
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