Part 12 (1/2)

When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded them with much complacency.

”It looks as if we were getting up in the world,” he said.

”You deserve to succeed, Paul,” said his mother. ”You have been industrious and faithful, and G.o.d has prospered you.”

”I have had a good mother to encourage me,” said Paul, ”or I should not have done so well.”

”You are right to say that, Paul,” said Mrs. Norton. ”It isn't every boy that has a good mother.”

”That is true. There are some boys I know who would do well if their mothers were not s.h.i.+ftless and intemperate. You remember Tommy O'Connor, mother, don't you?”

”Yes, Paul.”

”I met him in Na.s.sau street yesterday. He was lounging about in rags, doing nothing. He asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why he was not at work. He said his mother took all his money and spent it for drink. Then she got quarrelsome and beat him.”

”How can any mother behave in that way?” said Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering.

”I don't know, but there is more than one mother that does it, though it's more likely to be the father.”

The next day dawned bright and pleasant.

”Can I put on my new clothes, Paul?” asked Jimmy.

”Yes,” said Paul. ”It's Sunday, and we'll all put on our best clothes and go to church.”

”I should like that,” said the little boy, delighted.

Mrs. Hoffman readily agreed to the plan.

If of late the family had remained at home on Sunday, it was at first for want of good clothing, not from any want of respect for religious inst.i.tutions. During Mr. Hoffman's life they had attended regularly, and Paul had belonged to a Sunday-school, Jimmy being too young. The church they had formerly attended being in Harlem, they could not of course go so far, but dropped into one not far from Union Square. They were shown seats by the s.e.xton, and listened attentively to the services, though it must be confessed that Jimmy's attention was occasionally diverted to his new clothes, of which he was not a little proud. Mrs. Hoffman felt glad once more to find herself enjoying religious privileges, and determined henceforth to attend regularly.

As they were leaving the church, Paul suddenly found himself, to his surprise, next to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, whom he had not before observed.

”Good-morning, Mr. Talbot,” he said.

Mr. Talbot turned on being addressed and said:

”What, Paul, are you here?”

”Mr. Talbot, this is my mother,” said Paul.

”Mrs. Hoffman,” said Mr. Talbot, with as much courtesy as if he were addressing his social equal, ”I am glad to make your acquaintance. My dear, this is Mrs. Hoffman.”

Mrs. Talbot greeted both cordially, and made some inquiries about Jimmy. She observed with pleasure the neat appearance of the entire family, feeling sure that those who were so careful about their own appearance would be equally careful of her house. She also thought more favorably of them for their attendance at church, having herself a high respect for religious observances. Of course Paul and his mother thanked her in fitting terms for the gift which had enabled them to replace their losses by the fire.

After a brief conversation they parted, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot going uptown, while Paul and his mother had nearly two miles to walk in a different direction.

”Next Sunday we shall be walking uptown also,” said Paul. ”It will look well in the Directory, 'Paul Hoffman, merchant; house, Madison avenue,' won't it?”

”Yes,” said his mother, ”so long as it doesn't mention that you live in the bas.e.m.e.nt.”