CHAPTER VIII. THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.

 It might be considered hazardous¹ for Rufus to invest all his money in a venture which depended to so great an extent upon the honesty of another. But there is no profit without risk, and our hero felt considerable confidence in the integrity of his proposed partner. It occurred to him, however, that he might need some money before he should receive any from the business. Accordingly, as the young man had told him that he had a hundred dollars, he proposed that he should contribute one half of that sum towards the purchase of the shop, while he made up the balance,—four hundred and fifty dollars. This would leave him fifty dollars for contingent² expenses, while George Black would have the same.

 

Our hero's street-life had made him sharp, and he determined³ to secure himself as far as possible. He accordingly proposed to George Black that they should go to a lawyer, and have articles of agreement drawn⁴ up. For this, however, he did not have time till the next morning.

 

One article proposed by Rufus was, that he should draw fifty dollars a quarter towards the third share of the profits, which it was agreed that he should receive, and at the end of the year any balance that might remain due. No objection was made by George Black, who considered this provision a fair one. The style of the firm,—for as most of the capital was furnished by Rufus, it was thought that his name should be represented,—was "Rushton & Black."

 

A new sign was ordered, bearing their names, and it was arranged that the new proprietors⁵ should take possession of the store at the commencement of the next week, when it would probably be ready.

 

Rufus hesitated about announcing his new venture to Miss Manning and Rose, but finally concluded not to do so just at present. It would be time, he thought, when they had got fairly started.

 

Meanwhile he had transferred himself to the room at Mrs. Clayton's boarding-house. He felt rather bashful at first about appearing at the table. Half an hour before the time, he reached the house, and went up at once to Miss Manning's room.

 

"O Rufie!" said Rose, jumping up from the sofa and running to meet him, "have you come to stay?"

 

"Yes, Rosie," he answered, sitting down on the sofa, and taking her in his lap.

 

"I am so glad. You are going down to dinner, aint you?"

 

"Yes, I suppose so."

 

"We have such nice dinners,—don't we, Miss Manning?"

 

"Very nice, Rose."

 

"A great deal better than I ever had before. I wonder where you will sit, Rufie."

 

"He will sit next to you, Rose; I spoke⁶ to Mrs. Clayton about it. Rufus will take care of you, and I am to look after Jennie and Carrie."

 

"That will be very nice."

 

"How do you like the little girls, Rose?" asked her brother.

 

"Very much. They have given me some of their dolls."

 

"And which knows the most,—you or they?"

 

"Oh, I know ever so much more," said Rose, positively⁷.

 

"Is that true, Miss Manning, or is Rose boasting?" asked Rufus.

 

"Rose is farther advanced than either Jennie or Carrie," answered Miss Manning. "They have studied comparatively little yet, but I find them docile⁸, and I think they will soon improve."

 

By the time Rufus had combed his hair, and put on a clean collar, the dinner-bell rang. He followed Miss Manning down into the dining-room.

 

"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clayton. "I am glad to see you."

 

"His name isn't Mr. Rushton," said Rose. "His name is Rufie."

 

"It is the first time Rose ever heard me called so," said Rufus, smiling. "She will soon get used to it."

 

He was rather pleased than otherwise to be called Mr. Rushton. It made him feel more like a man.

 

"You may take that seat, Mr. Rushton," said the landlady⁹. "Your little sister will sit beside you."

 

Rufus took the chair indicated.

 

Next to him was seated a lady of thirty or more, whose hair fell in juvenile¹⁰ ringlets. This was Mrs. Clifton, formerly¹¹ Miss Peyton, who will be remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune." Rufus was introduced to her.

 

"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clifton, graciously. "You have a very sweet little sister."

 

"Yes; she is a very good little girl," said Rufus, better pleased with a compliment to Rose than he would have been with one to himself.

 

"I understand you are in business in Wall Street, Mr. Rushton."

 

"Yes," said Rufus. "I am in the office of Mr. Turner."

 

"I sometimes tell Mr. Clifton I wish he would go into business in Wall Street. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue."

 

"Can't remember ever hearing you mention the idea, Mrs. C——," remarked her husband, who sat on the other side, in a pause between two mouthfuls. "There aint much money in dry goods just now, by jove! I'll open in Wall Street, if you say the word."

 

Mrs. Clifton slightly frowned, and did not see fit to answer the remark made to her. Her husband was not very brilliant, either in business, wit, or in any other way, and she had married him, not from love, but because she saw no other way of escaping from being an old maid.

 

"Do you know, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clifton, "you remind me so much of a very intimate friend of mine, Mr. Hunter?"

 

"Do I?" added Rufus. "I hope he is good-looking."

 

"He's very handsome," said Mrs. Clifton, "and so witty¹²."

 

"Then I'm glad I'm like him," said Rufus.

 

For some reason he did not feel so bashful as he anticipated, particularly with Mrs. Clifton.

 

"He's soon going to be married to a very rich young lady,—Miss Greyson; perhaps you know her."

 

"That's where he has the advantage of me," said Rufus.

 

"Mr. Clifton," said his wife, "don't you think Mr. Rushton looks very much like Mr. Hunter?"

 

"Yes," said her husband; "as much as I look like the Emperor Napoleon."

 

"Don't make a goose of yourself, Mr. Clifton," said his wife, sharply.

 

"Thank you, I don't intend to. A goose is a female, and I don't care to make such a change."

 

"I suppose you think that is witty," said Mrs. Clifton, a little disdainfully.

 

It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. Those who remember Mrs. Clifton when she was Miss Peyton will easily understand what was its character. It had the effect, however, of putting Rufus at his ease. On the whole, considering that he was only used to cheap restaurants, he acquitted¹³ himself very well for the first time, and no one suspected that he had not always been accustomed to live as well. The dinner he found excellent. Mrs. Clayton herself superintended the preparation of dinner, and she was not inclined to undue¹⁴ economy, as is the case with many landladies¹⁵.

 

"I'm glad I came here," thought Rufus. "It's worth the difference in price."

 

As they rose from the table, Mrs. Colman asked Miss Manning, "Is that the brother of your little girl?"

 

"Yes," answered Miss Manning.

 

"He has a very good appearance; I should like to have you bring him into our room a while."

 

Miss Manning communicated this invitation to Rufus. He would have excused himself gladly, but he felt that this would have been hardly polite; therefore he accepted it.

 

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Colman.

 

"Thank you," said Rufus.

 

"I hear that you have come to board with us."

 

"Yes," he answered, wishing that he might think of something more to say, but not succeeding.

 

"It is a pleasant boarding-place; I hope you will like it."

 

"I think I shall."

 

"You have a very nice little sister; my little girls like her very much. She will be a great deal of company for them."

 

"I think she is a very good little girl," said Rufus; "but then I am her brother, so I suppose it is natural for me to think so."

 

"You are in an office in Wall Street, I am told," said Mr. Colman.

 

"Yes, sir," said Rufus.

 

"Whose, may I ask?"

 

"Mr. Turner's."

 

"He is an able business-man, and stands high. You could not learn business under better auspices¹⁶."

 

"I like him very much," said Rufus; "but then I have not been long in his office."

 

"I find Miss Manning relieves me of a great deal of care and trouble," said Mrs. Colman (her new governess being just then out of the room). "I feel that I was fortunate in securing her services."

 

"I think you will like her," said Rufus. "She is very kind to Rose. I don't know what I should do with little sister, if I did not have her to look after her."

 

"Then your mother is not living, Mr. Rushton."

 

"No," said Rufus; "she has been dead for two years."

 

"And you are the sole guardian¹⁷ of your little sister?"

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

After half an hour's call, which Rufus found less embarrassing and more agreeable than he anticipated, he excused himself, and went upstairs.

 

On Tuesday of the nest week, he decided¹⁸ to reveal his new plans to Miss Manning. Accordingly, he managed to reach home about half-past four in the afternoon, and invited her and Rose to take a walk with him.

 

"Where shall we walk?" she asked.

 

"Over to Sixth Avenue," said Rufus. "I want to show you a store there."

 

Miss Manning soon got ready, and the three set out.

 

It was not far,—scarcely ten minutes' walk. When they arrived opposite the store, Rufus pointed¹⁹ over to it.

 

"Do you see that periodical store?" he asked.

 

"Yes," said Miss Manning.

 

"How do you like it?"

 

"Why do you ask?" she inquired, puzzled.

 

"Look at the sign," he answered.

 

"Rushton & Black," read Miss Manning. "Why, that is your name!"

 

"And I am at the head of the firm," said Rufus complacently²⁰.

 

"What does it all mean?" asked Miss Manning. "How can it be?"

 

"I'll tell you," said Rufus.

 

A few words made her understand.

 

"Now," said Rufus, "let us go over to my store, and look in."

 

"What, is it your store, Rufie?" asked Rose.

 

"Yes, little sister, it's part mine."

 

When they entered, they found George Black behind the counter, waiting on a customer, who directly went out.

 

"Well, George, how's business?" asked Rufus.

 

"It opens well," said his partner, cheerfully. "It's a good stand, and there's a good run of custom."

 

"This is my friend, Miss Manning," said Rufus, "and my little sister Rose."

 

"I am glad to see you, Miss Manning," said the young man. "I hope," he added, smiling, "you will give us a share of your patronage²¹."

 

"We'll buy all our slate-pencils at Rufie's store, won't we, Miss Manning?" said Rose.

 

"Yes, I think so," answered Miss Manning, with a smile.

 

"Then," said Rufus, "we shall be certain to succeed, if there's a large profit on slate-pencils, George."

 

"Yes, if you charge high enough."

 

After a little more conversation they left the store.

 

"What do you think of my store, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus.

 

"It's a very neat one. I had no idea you had become so extensive a business-man, Rufus."

 

"Is Rufie an extensive man?" asked Rose.

 

"I hope to be some day," said Rufus, smiling.

1 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

2 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

5 proprietors   

n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These little proprietors of businesses are lords indeed on their own ground. 这些小业主们，在他们自己的行当中，就是真正的至高无上的统治者。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Many proprietors try to furnish their hotels with antiques. 许多经营者都想用古董装饰他们的酒店。 来自辞典例句

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

7 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

8 docile   

adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的

参考例句：

• Circus monkeys are trained to be very docile and obedient.马戏团的猴子训练得服服贴贴的。
• He is a docile and well-behaved child.他是个温顺且彬彬有礼的孩子。

9 landlady   

n.女房东，女地主

参考例句：

• I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
• The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。

10 juvenile   

n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的

参考例句：

• For a grown man he acted in a very juvenile manner.身为成年人，他的行为举止显得十分幼稚。
• Juvenile crime is increasing at a terrifying rate.青少年犯罪正在以惊人的速度增长。

11 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

12 witty   

adj.机智的，风趣的

参考例句：

• Her witty remarks added a little salt to the conversation.她的妙语使谈话增添了一些风趣。
• He scored a bull's-eye in their argument with that witty retort.在他们的辩论中他那一句机智的反驳击中了要害。

13 acquitted   

宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现

参考例句：

• The jury acquitted him of murder. 陪审团裁决他谋杀罪不成立。
• Five months ago she was acquitted on a shoplifting charge. 五个月前她被宣判未犯入店行窃罪。

14 undue   

adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的

参考例句：

• Don't treat the matter with undue haste.不要过急地处理此事。
• It would be wise not to give undue importance to his criticisms.最好不要过分看重他的批评。

15 landladies   

n.女房东，女店主，女地主( landlady的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The landladies paid court to her, in the obsequious way landladies have. 女店主们以她们特有的谄媚方式向她献殷勤。 来自辞典例句

16 auspices   

n.资助，赞助

参考例句：

• The association is under the auspices of Word Bank.这个组织是在世界银行的赞助下办的。
• The examination was held under the auspices of the government.这次考试是由政府主办的。

17 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

18 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

19 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

20 complacently   

adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地

参考例句：

• He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
• "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装，"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

21 patronage   

n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场

参考例句：

• Though it was not yet noon,there was considerable patronage.虽然时间未到中午，店中已有许多顾客惠顾。
• I am sorry to say that my patronage ends with this.很抱歉，我的赞助只能到此为止。