The obsequiousness of the impoverished child can be exused; he never knew if he would be asked to stay for a meal, and didn't want to sully his chances for a hot meal by making an untoward remark.

After the meal, though, he found himself not only much more disposed to agree with Richie, he found himself almost believing he was part of this world, and standing on more money than his father had ever made in his life was a normal thing to do.