CHAPTER XVI.
UNEXPECTED QUARTERS The appearance of the man whom Mrs.Hardwick addressed so familiarly was more picturesque than pleasing, He had a large, broad face, which, not having been shaved for a week, looked like a wilderness of stubble.

His nose indicated habitual indulgence in alcoholic beverages.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin looked coarse and blotched; his coat was thrown aside, displaying a shirt which bore evidence of having been useful in its day and generation.

The same remark may apply to his nether integuments, which were ventilated at each knee, indicating a most praiseworthy regard to the laws of health.
Ida thought she had never seen so disgusting a man.

She continued to gaze at him, half in astonishment, half in terror, till the object of her attention exclaimed: "Well, little gal, what you're lookin' at?
Hain't you never seen a gentleman before ?" Ida clung the closer to her companion, who, she was surprised to find, did not resent the man's familiarity.
"Well, Dick, how've you got along since I've been gone ?" asked the nurse, to Ida's astonishment.
"Oh, so-so." "Have you felt lonely any ?" "I've had good company." "Who's been here ?" Dick pointed significantly to a jug.
"That's the best company I know of," he said, "but it's 'most empty.