n number, well furnished,
and though not intended for housekeeping, could be used for that
purpose. The rent was twenty-five dollars a month.

"I do not feel able to pay more than twenty dollars," said Mrs.
Hoffman.

"That is too little. I'll split the difference and say twenty-two and
a half. I suppose you have no other children?"

"I have one other--a boy of eight."

"Then I don't think I should be willing to let you the rooms," said
the landlady, her manner changing. "I don't like to take young
children."

"He is a very quiet boy."

"No boys of eight are quiet," said the landlady decidedly. "They are
all noisy and troublesome."

"Jimmy is never noisy or troublesome," said Mrs. Hoffman, resenting
the imputation upon her youngest boy.

"Of course you think so, as you are his mother," rejoined the
landlady. "You may be mistaken, you know."

"Perhaps you object to me also," said Paul. "I am more noisy than my
little brother."

"I look upon you as a young man," said the landlady--a remark at which
Paul felt secretly complimented.

"I think we shall have to try somewhere else, mother," he said.
"Perhaps we shall find some house where they don't object to noisy
boys."

It seemed rather a joke to Paul to hear Jimmy objected to as noisy and
troublesome, and for some time afterward he made it a subject for
joking Jimmy. The latter took it very good-naturedly and seemed quite
as much amused as Paul.

The _Herald_ had to be consulted once more. Two other places near by
were visited, but neither proved satisfactory. In one place the rooms
were not pleasant, in the other case the price demanded was too great.

"It's twelve o'clock already," said Paul, listening to the strokes of
a neighboring clock. "I had no idea it was so hard finding rooms. I
wonder whether Mrs. Norton would keep us a day longer."

"Perhaps we can go out this afternoon and prove more successful,
Paul."

"I've a great mind to consult Mr. Preston, mother. I think I'll call
at his place of business at any rate, as I may need to draw some of
the money we have in his hands. You know we've all got to buy new
clothes."

"Very well, Paul. Do as you think best. You won't need me."

"No, mother."

Mrs. Hoffman returned to her temporary quarters, and reporting her
want of success, was cordially invited by Mrs. Norton to remain as her
guest until she succeeded in obtaining satisfactory rooms.

CHAPTER VI.

PAUL TAKES A HOUSE ON MADISON AV