Part 21 (1/2)
”Thank you, Bridget,” said Mordaunt. ”I see you understood what was wanted. Now, if you'll take down them wet clothes and dry them for us, we will be much obliged.”
”I'll do it, Mr. Mordaunt,” said the willing handmaiden.
”Now, Gilbert, sit down, and we'll have a good cup of coffee apiece,”
said Mordaunt. ”You're hungry, are you not?”
”Bathin' in such a big tub gave me an appet.i.te,” said Tom; ”but I wouldn't like to get up an appet.i.te that way every day.”
”Nor I. It's too much trouble, not to speak of the danger. How do you find the coffee?”
”Tip-top.”
”It's a good deal better than wine, eh?”
”That's so.”
”Now, Gilbert, while we are taking lunch I have a little plan to propose to you.”
”All right. I'm ready.”
CHAPTER XV.
TOM CHANGES HIS BOARDING-HOUSE.
”Where are you boarding?” Mordaunt began.
”At the Ohio Hotel. But I don't mean to stay. I'm lookin' out some first-cla.s.s boardin'-house, where they don't charge mor'n five dollars a week.”
”You haven't found one yet?”
”No.”
”Come here and room with me.”
”Don't you pay but five dollars?”
”Rather more,” said Mordaunt, laughing.
”I only get five dollars a week for my valuable services,” said Tom. ”I pay that for board, and get my clothes with the balance. If I hadn't a fortune of ten dollars to fall back upon, I'd have to go without.”
”Is that really the way you are situated?” asked Mordaunt, seriously.
”Yes.”
”Then,” said the young man, ”come and board with me, and it sha'n't cost you a cent. I'll have another bed put into the bedroom, and we'll make ourselves as comfortable as we can.”
”Do you mean it?” asked Tom, incredulously.
”Certainly.”