ou had
any breakfast?"

"Not a mouthful, mamma. I'm as hungry as a bear."

"I will have some sent up at once. Mr. Barker, I hope you will join my
daughter at breakfast."

"Thank you," said Sam, not without satisfaction, for he certainly did
feel frightfully hungry.

A substantial breakfast was brought up, and, unromantic as it may
seem, both Sam and Julia made great havoc among the eatables.

"I don't think I ever felt so hungry in the whole course of my life,"
said Julia. "Did you, Sam?"

"I never did, either," said Sam, with his mouth full.

"My dear," said Mrs. Stockton, "Mr. Barker will think you very
familiar. It is not the custom to use a gentleman's first name on such
short acquaintance."

"I feel as if I had known Sam ever so long. He asked me to call him by
his first name."

Mrs. Stockton smiled. Considering Sam's youth, she did not think it
necessary to press the matter.

"Is this your first visit to Boston, Mr. Barker?" she inquired.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I hope you will like it."

"I think I shall, ma'am."

"Are you a New Yorker?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I know something of New York. In what part of the city do you live?"

Sam was rather embarrassed. He did not like to mention the
unfashionable street where he had lodged.

"I boarded downtown," he answered, indefinitely; "to be near my
business."

"You are young to have been in business."

"I was a clerk in a Pearl Street store," said Sam.

"Are you visiting Boston on business?"

"Yes, ma'am. I shall try to find a place here."

"I hope you may succeed."

"Thank you, ma'am."

By this time breakfast was over, and Sam rose.

"I think I'll be going," he said.

Julia did not seek to detain him. The fact was, that after her absence
there were quite a number of things she wanted to do, among others to
unpack her trunk.

"What hotel are you going to stop at?" she inquired.

"I haven't made up my mind," answered Sam, embarrassed. He well knew
that it would be very foolish for him to engage board at a first-class
hotel.

"Parker's is a good hotel," suggested Julia. "It's on School Street,
not far from here."

"I would recommend a boarding-house," said Mrs. Stockton. "The Parker
House is expensive, and, if Mr. Barker is going to stay for some time
he may wish to get along more economically."

"I think I shall," said Sam.

"Be sure and call again," said Julia, extending her hand.

"We shall be glad to see you again, Mr. Barker," said