een cents for a meal," he thought, and called for a
plate of roast beef.

"Corn beef and cabbage for me," said the signor.

"It's very filling," he remarked aside to Phil.

"They won't give you but a mouthful of beef."

So it proved, but the quality was such that Phil did not care for more.
He ordered a piece of apple pie afterward feeling still hungry.

"I see you're bound to have a square meal," said the signor.

After Phil had had it, he was bound to confess that he did not feel
uncomfortably full. Yet he had spent twice as much as the signor, who
dispensed with the tea and pie as superfluous luxuries.

In the evening Signor Orlando bent his steps toward Bowerman's
Varieties.

"I hope in a day or two to get a complimentary ticket for you, Mr.
Brent," he said.

"How much is the ticket?" asked Phil.

"Fifteen cents. Best reserved seats twenty-five cents.'

"I believe I will be extravagant for once," said Phil, "and go at my own
expense."

"Good!" said the signor huskily. "You'll feel repaid I'll be bound.
Bowerman always gives the public their money's worth. The performance
begins at eight o'clock and won't be out until half-past eleven."

"Less than five cents an hour," commented Phil.

"What a splendid head you've got!" said Signor Orlando admiringly. "I
couldn't have worked that up. Figures ain't my province."

It seemed to Phil rather a slender cause for compliment, but he said
nothing, since it seemed clear that the computation was beyond his
companion's ability.

As to the performance, it was not refined, nor was the talent employed
first-class. Still Phil enjoyed himself after a fashion. He had never
had it in his power to attend many amusements, and this was new to him.
He naturally looked with interest for the appearance of his new friend
and fellow-lodger.

Signor Orlando appeared, dressed in gorgeous array, sang a song which
did credit to the loudness of his voice rather than its quality, and
ended by a noisy clog-dance which elicited much applause from the boys
in the gallery, who shared the evening's entertainment for the moderate
sum of ten cents.

The signor was called back to the stage. He bowed his thanks and gave
another dance. Then he was permitted to retire. As this finished his
part of the entertainment he afterward came around in citizen's dress,
and took a seat in the auditorium beside Phil.

"How did you like me, Mr. Brent?" he asked complacently.

"I thought you did