The Old Man

Suppose I call with some companions at this house to spend a pleasant evening with my old friend who lives there. I hear there has been some change going on at the house, but I do not exactly know what. The door is opened by the old tenant, but he has a cowed look on his face. When I tell him what I have come for, he says, "Well, of course I should like to ask you in, but I cannot because the new tenant would not like it. You see he is responsible now to the landlord for this house, and he is very strict in having it kept quiet and respectable. I'm only out now because he is asleep, but if there was any noise in the house, he would soon shut me up again." It is clear in this case the same man answers whom I have known all along; the only difference being he has had his rent forgiven and that there is a new tenant in the house of whom he is afraid.
Now, suppose that I call again in a few months to try and induce my old friend to come and spend a jolly evening with me. It is quite dark when I knock at the door, so that I cannot see who opens it, but supposing it is my old friend I say, "Come along to the theater with me.”
“I never go there," is the reply.
“I know that," I say, "for you are afraid now."
"No, I am not afraid. I do not care for it."
"Come, now," I say, "that won't do; I know you like it well enough, but you are afraid of the new
tenant.”
“I am the new tenant," answers the voice.