"You're a cur'us boy," said Tucker. "You want to pay for your vittles in
a free boardin'-house."

"It isn't free to me. At any rate, I don't want it to be. What do you
say?"

"Oh, I ain't no objections to take your money," said Tucker, laughing.
"I didn't know you was so rich."

"I am not rich, but I think I can pay my board as long as I stay here."

This Philip said because he had decided that his stay should be a very
brief one.

"Just as you say!" chuckled Mr. Tucker.

As he went downstairs he reflected:

"I can take the boy's money and charge his board to the town, too.
There's nothin' to hen-der, and it'll be so much more in my pocket. I
wish the rest of the paupers would foller his example."

He went downstairs and explained to Mrs. Tucker that he wanted Philip's
supper.

"Tell him to come down to the table like the rest of the folks!"
retorted Mrs. Tucker. "He ain't too lazy, is he?"

"No; but it's safer to keep him in his room for the first twenty-four
hours. He's a desperate boy, but I reckon he'll get tamed after a
while."

"I'll desperate him!" said Mrs. Tucker scornfully. "I don't believe in
humorin' him."

"Nor I, Abigail. He'd like to come down, but I won't let him. We can
manage him between us."

"I should smile if we couldn't," said Mrs. Tucker. "If you want any
supper for him, you can get it yourself. I've got too much to do. No,
Widder Jones, you can't have another cup of tea, and you needn't beg for
it. One clip's plenty for you, and it's all we can afford."

"Only this once," pleaded the poor old woman. "I've got a headache."

"Then another cup of tea would only make it worse. If you've got through
your supper, go back to your seat and give more room for the rest."

While Mrs. Tucker was badgering and domineering over her regular
boarders, her husband put two slices of dry bread on a plate, poured out
a cup of tea, not strong enough to keep the most delicate child awake,
and surreptitiously provided an extra luxury in the shape of a thin
slice of cold meat. He felt that, as he was to receive double price, he
ought to deal generously by our hero.

He carried this luxurious supper to the third story, and set it down
before Philip.

Philip promptly produced a dime, which Mr. Tucker pocketed with
satisfaction. He waited till his young guest had finished his repast, in
order himself to carry down the dishes.

There was no butter for the bread, and the tea had been sweetened
scan