Part 22 (1/2)
”What is it?”
”You must let me buy you some more clothes.”
Tom was about to object, but Mordaunt continued:
”Remember, I've got more money than I know what to do with. I owe you something for the wetting I exposed you to.”
”I won't resist very hard,” said Tom. ”I s'pose you want your guardian to look respectable.”
Later in the day, when their clothes were dry, Mordaunt took Tom to a fas.h.i.+onable clothing store, and bought him two suits of clothes, of handsome cloth and stylish cut, and, in addition, purchased him a sufficient stock of under-clothing. He also ordered a trunk to be sent up to the room. Then, it being time, they went home to supper. Mordaunt had already spoken to Mrs. White about receiving our hero as a boarder.
Of course she was very ready to do so.
Tom felt, at first, a little embarra.s.sed, but this feeling soon wore away. He was not a guest, but a boarder, and was addressed by the landlady and the boarders as Mr. Grey. He came near laughing the first time he was called by this name, but soon got used to it.
It was a first-cla.s.s boarding-house. There were some dozen boarders, all of ample means. As Tom looked around him, and remembered that only a short time previous he had been a New York street-boy and bootblack, he could hardly believe that the change was permanent.
”What would they think if they knowed what I was?” he thought.
Next to him at table sat an elderly young lady, who was not in the habit of receiving attentions from gentlemen of marriageable age, and was therefore inclined to notice those more youthful.
”Do you like the opera, Mr. Grey?” she asked.
”Do you?” asked Tom, who had never heard an opera in his life.
New York bootblacks seldom attend such cla.s.sic entertainments. They prefer the old Bowery entertainments.
”I dote upon it,” said Miss Green, enthusiastically.
”So do I,” said Tom, much to Mordaunt's amus.e.m.e.nt.
”What is your favorite opera?” asked Miss Green.
”I haven't got any favorite,” said Tom, who thought this the best answer, as he did not know the name of any.
”I think Trovatore splendid.”
”It's tip-top.”
”That's a gentleman's word,” said Miss Green, laughing. ”I am glad you agree with me. Do you sing yourself?”
”A little,” said Tom. ”Shall I come and sing under your window to-night?”
There was a general laugh at this offer.
”Oh, do!” said Miss Green. ”Do you often serenade ladies?”
”I used to, but I had to give it up.”
”Why, Mr. Grey?”