As Dan approached, he saw the entire house brilliantly lighted. He passed beneath a canopy¹, over carpeted steps, to the front door, and rang the bell.

 

The door was opened by a stylish-looking colored man, whose grand air showed that he felt the importance and dignity of his position.

 

As Dan passed in he said:

 

"Gentlemen's dressing-room third floor back."

 

With a single glance through the open door at the lighted parlors², where several guests were already assembled, Dan followed directions, and went up stairs.

 

Entering the dressing-room, he saw a boy carefully arranging his hair before the glass.

 

"That's my friend, Tom Carver," said Dan to himself.

 

Tom was so busily engaged at his toilet that he didn't at once look at the new guest. When he had[Pg 196] leisure to look up, he seemed surprised, and remarked, superciliously⁴:

 

"I didn't expect to see you here."

 

"Why not?" demanded Dan, who understood his meaning.

 

"Are you engaged to look after this room? If so, just brush me."

 

"With all my heart, if you'll brush me," answered Dan, partly offended and partly amused.

 

"What do you mean?" demanded Tom, haughtily⁵.

 

"Just what I say. One good turn deserves another."

 

"Our positions are rather different, I think."

 

"How so? You are a guest of Miss Rogers, and so am I."

 

"You don't mean to say that you are going down into the parlor³?"

 

"Why not?"

 

"A boy who sells papers in front of the Astor House is not a suitable guest at a fashionable party."

 

"That is not your affair," said Dan, coldly. "But it is not true that I sell papers anywhere."

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