"I will go up to Mr. Conrad's room," said Rob.

 

The servant knew him, and no objection was made. They went up two flights to the front room on the third floor. Rob opened the door without ceremony and entered, followed by Chester.

 

He found himself in a spacious¹ room, neatly² furnished and hung around with engravings, with here and there an oil painting. There was a table near the window with a portfolio³ on it. Here, no doubt, Mr. Conrad did some of his work. There was no bed in the room, but through an open door Chester saw a connecting bedroom.

 

"This is a nice room," he said.

 

"Yes, cousin Herbert likes to be comfortable. Here, give me your valise, and make yourself at home."

 

Chester sat down by the window and gazed out on the broad street. It was a pleasant, sunny day, and everything looked bright and attractive.

 

"You are going to live in New York, aren't you?" asked Rob.

 

"Yes, if I can make a living here."

 

"I guess cousin Herbert will help you."

 

"He has already. He has obtained a place for me in a real estate office at five dollars a week."

 

"I think I could live on five dollars a week."

 

"I suppose it costs considerable to live in New York."

 

Chester felt no apprehension⁴, however. He was sure he should succeed, and, indeed, he had reason to feel encouraged, for had he not already engaged two hundred dollars' worth of work?—and this sum seemed as much to him as two thousand would have done to Mr. Conrad.

 

An hour glided⁵ by rapidly, and then a step was heard on the stairs.

 

"That's cousin Herbert," said Rob, and he ran to open the door.

 

"Hello, Rob. Did you find Chester?"

 

"Yes, here he is!"

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