ssary to buy but a small quantity of new furniture, as Mrs.
Talbot authorized them to take down from the upper rooms anything of
which they had need. She was led to this offer by the favorable
opinion she had formed of Mrs. Hoffman. With the exception, therefore,
of some bedding and a rocking-chair, the latter purchased nothing.

It took a little time, of course, to get accustomed to their new
quarters. When, however, they had got to feel at home, they enjoyed
them. It was no longer possible, of course, for Paul to come home to
the noonday meal, since the distance between his place of business and
the house on Madison avenue was two miles and a half. He therefore was
accustomed to take his lunch at a restaurant, for his mother had
adopted the common New York custom of having dinner at the end of the
day.

It was about six weeks after Paul's removal to Madison avenue that one
day, on approaching the restaurant on Fulton street where he proposed
to lunch, his attention was drawn to a famished-looking boy who was
looking in at the window at the viands within. It was impossible to
misinterpret his hungry look. Paul understood it at once, and his
heart was stirred with compassion. His own prosperity had not hardened
him, but rendered him more disposed to lend a helping hand to those
more needy.

"Are you hungry, Johnny?" he asked.

The boy turned at the sound of the words.

"Ain't I just?" he said.

"Didn't you have any breakfast?"

"I had a piece of bread."

"Was that all?"

"Yes,"

"Could you eat a plate of meat if I gave you some?"

"Try me and see," was the reply.

"Come in, then," said Paul.

"Will you pay for it?" asked the young Arab, almost incredulous.

"Yes, I will pay for it."

The boy waited for no further assurance. He was not in a position to
refuse so advantageous a proposal. He shuffled in, therefore, directly
behind Paul.

It was not an aristocratic eating-house, but its guests were
well-dressed, and the ragged boy at once attracted unfavorable
attention.

"Get out of here!" said a waiter.

"He told me to come in," said the boy, beginning to tremble at the
thought of losing the proffered dinner.

Paul, at whom he pointed, was known at the restaurant.

"Did this boy come in with you?" asked the waiter.

"Yes," said Paul; "he's going to dine with me."

"All right."

The waiter was rather surprised at Paul's selection of a table
companion, but payment being thus guaranteed, coul