room," said Rob.

The servant knew him, and no objection was made. They went up two
flights to the front room on the third floor. Rob opened the door
without ceremony and entered, followed by Chester.

He found himself in a spacious room, neatly furnished and hung around
with engravings, with here and there an oil painting. There was a table
near the window with a portfolio on it. Here, no doubt, Mr. Conrad did
some of his work. There was no bed in the room, but through an open
door Chester saw a connecting bedroom.

"This is a nice room," he said.

"Yes, cousin Herbert likes to be comfortable. Here, give me your
valise, and make yourself at home."

Chester sat down by the window and gazed out on the broad street. It
was a pleasant, sunny day, and everything looked bright and attractive.

"You are going to live in New York, aren't you?" asked Rob.

"Yes, if I can make a living here."

"I guess cousin Herbert will help you."

"He has already. He has obtained a place for me in a real estate office
at five dollars a week."

"I think I could live on five dollars a week."

"I suppose it costs considerable to live in New York."

Chester felt no apprehension, however. He was sure he should succeed,
and, indeed, he had reason to feel encouraged, for had he not already
engaged two hundred dollars' worth of work?--and this sum seemed as
much to him as two thousand would have done to Mr. Conrad.

An hour glided by rapidly, and then a step was heard on the stairs.

"That's cousin Herbert," said Rob, and he ran to open the door.

"Hello, Rob. Did you find Chester?"

"Yes, here he is!"

"Glad to see you, Chester," said the artist, shaking his hand
cordially; "you must excuse my not going to meet you, but I was busily
engaged on a large drawing for _Harper's Weekly_, and, feeling in a
favorable mood, I didn't want to lose the benefit of my inspiration.
You will find when you have more experience that an artist can
accomplish three times as much when in the mood.

"I am glad you didn't leave off for me. Rob has taken good care of me."

"Yes, Rob is used to the city; I thought you would be in safe hands.
And how do you like my quarters?"

"They are very pleasant. And the street is so wide, too."

"Yes, I like Thirty-fourth street. I lodge, but I don't board here."

Chester was surprised to hear this. In Wyncombe everyone took his meals
in the same house in which he lodged.

"And that reminds me, don't you fe