CHAPTER XXVISPINNING THE WEB
There was a short interval before the play commenced. This Andyimproved by examining the large stock of curiosities which have beengathered from all parts of the world for the gratification ofvisitors. Fairfax kept at his side, and spoke freely of all they saw.There was something about him which seemed to Andy strangely familiar.Was it in his features, or in his voice? He could not tell. The redwhig and whiskers misled him. Andy finally set it down as a merechance resemblance to someone whom he had met formerly, and dismissedit from his mind.
At length the increasing crowds pouring into the lecture-room remindedthem that the play was about to begin.
"Shall we go in and take our seats?" said Fairfax.
Andy assented, and they were speedily in their seats.
I do not propose to speak of the play. It was a novelty to Andy to seea dramatic representation, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Fairfax wasmore accustomed to such things, but pretended to be equallyinterested, feeling that in this way he could ingratiate himselfbetter into Andy's confidence.
At last it was over, and they went out of the building.
"How did you like it?" asked Fairfax.
"Tiptop," said Andy, promptly. "Don't you think so?"
"Capital," answered Fairfax, with simulated delight. "I am glad I hadcompany. I don't enjoy anything half as well alone. By the way, wheredo you pass the night?"
"At some hotel--I don't know which."
"Suppose you go to the Adams House. I've got to stop overnightsomewhere, and it might be pleasanter going in company."
"Where is the Adams House?"
"On Washington Street, not very far off--ten or fifteen minutes'walk."
"If it's a good place, I'm willing."
"It is an excellent hotel, and moderate in price. We might go up therenow, and engage a room, and then spend the evening where we like."
"Very well," said Andy.
They soon reached the Adams House--a neat, unpretending hotel--andentered. They walked up to the desk, and Fairfax spoke to the clerk.
"Can you give us a room?"
"Certainly. Enter your names."
"Shall we room together?" asked Fairfax, calmly.
Now Andy, though he had had no objection to going to the theater withhis present companion, did not care to take a room with a stranger, ofwhom he knew nothing. He might be a very respectable man, but somehow,Andy did not know why, there was something in his manner whichinspired a little repulsion. Besides, he remembered that he hadconsiderable money with him, and that consideration alone rendered itimprudent for him to put himself in the power of a companion. So hesaid, a little awkwardly:
"I think we'd better take separate rooms."
"Very well," said Fairfax, in a tone of indifference, though he reallyfelt very much disappointed. "I thought it might have been a littlemore sociable to be together."
Andy did not take the hint, except so far as to say:
"We can take rooms alongside of each other."
"I can give you adjoining rooms, if you desire," said the clerk.
Fairfax here entered his name in the hotel register as "NathanielMarvin, Portland, Maine," while Andy put down his real address. Hiscompanion's was, of course, fictitious. He did not venture to give thename of Fairfax, as that might be recognized by Andy as that of thehighwayman, with whose little plans he had interfered.
A servant was called, and they went up to their rooms, which, as theclerk had promised, were found to be adjoining. They were preciselyalike.
"Very comfortable, Mr. Burke," said Fairfax, in a tone of apparentsatisfaction. "I think we shall have a comfortable night."
"I guess so," said Andy.
"Are you going to stay here now?"
"No; I'm going to wash my face, and then take a walk around. I want tosee something of the city."
"I think I'll lie down awhile; I feel tired. Perhaps we shall meetlater. If not, I shall see you in the morning."
"All right," said Andy.
In a few minutes he went out.
Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes Page 26