Part 5 (1/2)
”And you know all about the public buildings, I suppose?”
”Yes, sir.”
”And the Central Park?”
”Yes, sir. I know my way all round.”
The gentleman looked thoughtful.
”I don't know what to say, Frank,” he remarked after a while. ”It is rather a novel proposal. He isn't exactly the sort of guide I would have picked out for you. Still he looks honest. He has an open face, and I think can be depended upon.”
”I wish he wasn't so ragged and dirty,” said Frank, who felt a little shy about being seen with such a companion.
”I'm afraid you haven't washed your face this morning,” said Mr.
Whitney, for that was the gentleman's name.
”They didn't have no wash-bowls at the hotel where I stopped,” said d.i.c.k.
”What hotel did you stop at?”
”The Box Hotel.”
”The Box Hotel?”
”Yes, sir, I slept in a box on Spruce Street.”
Frank surveyed d.i.c.k curiously.
”How did you like it?” he asked.
”I slept bully.”
”Suppose it had rained.”
”Then I'd have wet my best clothes,” said d.i.c.k.
”Are these all the clothes you have?”
”Yes, sir.”
Mr. Whitney spoke a few words to Frank, who seemed pleased with the suggestion.
”Follow me, my lad,” he said.
d.i.c.k in some surprise obeyed orders, following Mr. Whitney and Frank into the hotel, past the office, to the foot of the staircase. Here a servant of the hotel stopped d.i.c.k, but Mr. Whitney explained that he had something for him to do, and he was allowed to proceed.
They entered a long entry, and finally paused before a door. This being opened a pleasant chamber was disclosed.
”Come in, my lad,” said Mr. Whitney.