row. And now, let me pay you
for my week's board."

"No, Philip. I shall not want it with all this money, which I should not
have received but for you."

"A debt is a debt, Mrs. Forbush, and I prefer to pay it. I shall not be
here to supper, as Mr. Carter is expecting me back to the Astor House. I
shall probably come with him when he calls upon you to-morrow."

On his return to the hotel, as he was walking on Broadway, Phil came
face to face with Alonzo Pitkin.

"I think I'll ask him about that letter his uncle gave him to post to
me," thought Phil, and he waited until Alonzo was close at hand.

CHAPTER XXV.

ALONZO IS PUZZLED.

Alonzo, who had his share of curiosity, as soon as he saw Phil's
approach, determined to speak to him, and ascertain what were his plans
and what he was doing. With the petty malice which he inherited from his
mother, he hoped that Phil had been unable to find a place and was in
distress.

"It would serve him right," said Alonzo to himself, "for trying to get
into Uncle Oliver's good graces. I s'pose he would like to cut me out,
but he'll find that he can't fight against ma and me."

"Oh, it's you, is it?" was Alonzo's salutation when they met.

"Yes," answered Phil.

"Pa bounced you, didn't he?" continued Alonzo complacently.

"Yes," answered Phil. "That is, he discharged me. I suppose that is what
you meant."

"You've got it right the first time," said Alonzo.

"Have you got another place?"

"Do you ask because you feel interested in me?" asked Phil.

"Well, not particularly," answered Alonzo appearing quite amused by the
suggestion.

"Then you ask out of curiosity?"

"S'pose I do?"

"I don't mind telling you that I have found a place, then."

"What sort of a place?" asked Alonzo, disappointed.

"There is no need of going into particulars."

"No. I s'pose not," sneered Alonzo. "You're probably selling papers or
blacking boots."

"You are mistaken. I have a much better situation than I had with your
father."

Alonzo's lower jaw fell. He was very sorry to hear it.

"Didn't your employer ask for a recommendation?"

"He didn't seem to think one necessary!" replied Phil.

"If he'd known pa had sacked you, he wouldn't have wanted you, I guess."

"He knows it. Have you got through asking questions, Alonzo?"

"You are too familiar. You can call me Mr. Pitkin."

Phil laughed at Alonzo's assumption of dignity, but made no comment upon
it.

"I want to ask you