about all there is of it. Well, I'm not quite so green, for I know
more than I did this morning!"

It was late for him when he reached the hotel, but it seemed to be
early enough for everybody else. Many people were coming and going,
and among them all he did not see a face that he knew or cared for.
The tired-out, homesick feeling grew upon him, and he walked very
dolefully to the elevator. Up it went in a minute, and when he reached
his room he threw his hat upon the table, and sat down to think over
the long and eventful day.

[Illustration: _Jack is homesick._]

"This is the toughest day's work I ever did! I'd like to see the folks
in Crofield and tell 'em about it, though," he said.

He went to bed, intending to consider his plans for Monday, but he made
one mistake. He happened to close his eyes.

The next thing he knew, there was a ray of warm sunshine striking his
face from the open window, for he had slept soundly, and it was nearly
seven o'clock on Monday morning.

Jack looked around his room, and then sprang out of bed.

"Hurrah for New York!" he said, cheerfully. "I know what to do now.
I'm glad I'm here! I'll write a letter home, first thing, and then
I'll pitch in and go to work!"

He felt better. All the hopes he had cherished so long began to stir
within him. He brushed his clothes thoroughly, and put on his best
necktie; and then he walked out of that room with hardly a doubt that
all the business in the great city was ready and waiting for him to
come and take part in it. He went down the elevator, after a glance at
the stairway and a shake of his head.

"Stairs are too slow," he thought. "I'll try them some time when I am
not so busy."

As he stepped out upon the lower floor he met Mr. Keifelheimer, the
proprietor.

"You come in to preakfast mit me," he said. "I promise Mr.
Guilderaufenberg and de ladies, too, I keep an eye on you. Some
letters in de box for you. You get dem ven you come out. Come mit me."

Jack was very glad to hear of his friends, what had become of them, and
what they had said about him, and of course he was quite ready for
breakfast. Mr. Keifelheimer talked, while they were eating, in the
most friendly and protecting way. Jack felt that he could speak
freely; and so he told the whole story of his adventures on
Sunday,--Staten Island, Jimmy the Sneak, and all. Mr. Keifelheimer
listened with deep interest, making appreciative remarks every now and
t