Part 4 (1/2)

”Come over and stop with us to-night,” said Sam. ”My mother'll be glad to have you.”

”Thank you, Sam,” said Mrs. Hoffman, who knew the boy as a friend of Paul, ”but I shouldn't like to trouble your mother.”

”It'll be no trouble,” said Sam eagerly.

”If you think it won't, Sam,” said Paul, ”we'll accept for to-night. I am afraid they wouldn't take us in at any of the big hotels with only one dress, and that not made up, by way of baggage. To-morrow I'll find some other rooms.”

”Come along, then,” said Sam, leading the way. ”We'll have a jolly time to-night, Paul.”

”By way of celebrating the fire. It's jolly enough for us, but I shouldn't like it too often.”

”I say, Paul,” said Sam, wheeling round, ”if you're out of stamps, I've got a dollar or two that I can spare.”

”Thank you, Sam; you're a brick! But I've saved my bank-book, and I've got plenty to start on. Much obliged to you, all the same.”

It was true that Paul was in an unusually good position to withstand the blow which had so unexpectedly fallen upon him. He had a hundred and fifty dollars in the hands of Mr. Preston, a wealthy gentleman who took an interest in him, and moreover had a hundred dollars deposited to his credit in a savings-bank, beside his stock in trade, probably amounting to at least fifty dollars, at the wholesale price. So there was no immediate reason for anxiety. It would have been rather awkward, however, to look up a shelter for the night at such short notice, and therefore Sam Norton's invitation was particularly welcome.

Sam led the way to the lodgings occupied by his parents. They were located on Pearl street, not far from Centre, and were more s.p.a.cious and well furnished than any in the burned tenement house.

”You go up first and tell your mother, Sam,” said Paul. ”She won't know what to make of it if we go in without giving her any notice.”

”All right,” said Sam. ”I'll be down in a jiffy.”

Two minutes were sufficient for Sam to explain the situation. His mother, a good, motherly woman, at once acknowledged the claim upon her hospitality. She came downstairs at once, and said heartily to Paul, whom she knew:

”Come right up, Paul. And so this is your mother. I am very glad to see you, Mrs. Hoffman. Come right up, and I'll do all I can to make you comfortable.”

”I am afraid we shall give you trouble, Mrs. Norton,” said Mrs.

Hoffman.

”Not in the least. The more the merrier, that's my motto. I haven't got much to offer, but what there is you are very welcome to.”

The room into which they were ushered was covered with a plain, coa.r.s.e carpet. The chairs were wooden, but there was a comfortable rocking-chair, a cheap lounge, and a bookcase with a few books, besides several prints upon the wall. Sam's father was a policeman, while his mother was a New England woman of good common-school education, neat and thrifty, and so, though their means were small, she managed to make a comfortable home. Mrs. Hoffman looked around her with pleased approval. It was pleasant to obtain even temporary refuge in so homelike a place.

”Is this your little brother who draws such fine pictures?” asked Mrs.

Norton.

Jimmy looked pleased but mystified. How should Mrs. Norton have heard of his pictures?

”You must draw me a picture to-night, won't you?” asked Mrs. Norton.

”I should like to, if I can have a pencil and some paper. All mine are burned up.”

”Sam will give you some from his desk. But you must be hungry.”

Sam was drawn aside by his mother, and, after a whispered conference, was dispatched to the butcher's and baker's, when he soon returned with a supply of rolls and beefsteak, from which in due time an appetizing meal was spread, to which all did full justice.

CHAPTER IV.