ly.

"I heard Mr. Rockwell say he was expecting you to-night. Come right in.
Mistress is very anxious to see you."

Placed a little at his ease by this cordial reception, Dick followed the
servant upstairs to a pleasant sitting-room on the second floor. Mr. and
Mrs. Rockwell were seated at a centre-table reading the evening papers,
while Johnny and his sister Grace were constructing a Tower of Babel
with some blocks upon the carpet before the fire.

Dick entered, and stood just within the door, with his cap in his hand,
feeling a little embarrassed.

"I am glad to see you, Richard," said Mr. Rockwell, rising from his
seat, and advancing to our hero with a pleasant smile. "Mrs. Rockwell
has been anxious to see you. My dear, this is the brave boy who saved
our little Johnny."

Mrs. Rockwell, a tall, graceful lady, with a smile that quite captivated
Dick, offered her hand, and said, earnestly, "My brave boy, I have been
wishing to see you. I shudder to think that, but for your prompt
courage, I should now be mourning the loss of my dear little Johnny.
Accept a mother's thanks for a favor so great that she can never hope to
repay it."

Now this acknowledgment was very pleasant to Dick, but it was also very
embarrassing. It is difficult to receive praise gracefully. So our hero,
not knowing what else to say, stammered out that she was very welcome.

"I understand that you have entered my husband's employment," said Mrs.
Rockwell.

"Yes," said Dick. "He was kind enough to take me."

"I hope to make a man of business of our young friend," said Mr.
Rockwell. "He will soon feel at home in his new position, and I hope we
may find the connection mutually satisfactory."

"Have you a pleasant boarding-place?" asked Mrs. Rockwell.

"Tip-top," said Dick. "I mean pretty good," he added, in a little
confusion.

"Where is it?"

"In Bleecker Street," said Dick, very glad that he was not obliged to
say Mott Street.

"That is quite a good location," said Mr. Rockwell. "How do you spend
your evenings, Richard?"

"In studying with a friend of mine," said Dick. "I want to know
something by the time I grow up."

"That is an excellent resolution," said his employer, with warm
approval. "I wish more boys of your age were equally sensible. You may
depend upon it that a good education is the best preparation for an
honorable and useful manhood. What is your friend's name?"

"Henry Fosdick. He rooms with me."

"I am glad you