"You've got a nice home," said our hero.

 

"Yes," said the bookkeeper. "My rooms alone cost me fifteen dollars a week."

 

"Without board?" ejaculated Ben.

 

"Yes," said the young man, smiling.

 

"Why, that is almost eight hundred dollars a year."

 

"Quite correct. I see you think me extravagant²."

 

"I was wondering how you could afford it."

 

"Your surprise is natural. If I only depended on my salary, I certainly should not hire such expensive apartments. But a good aunt left me twenty thousand dollars, two years since, and this being well invested yields me about fourteen hundred dollars a year."

 

"I wonder you don't go into business."

 

"I have thought of it, but doubt whether I should manage a business of my own judiciously³. If not, I should run the risk of losing all my money. I like keeping books for my uncle, and he pays me a good salary. With this and the income from my property I can live as well as I wish without incurring⁴ any risk at all."

 

"I don't know but that is best," said Ben.

 

"Now let me speak of your own plans, Ben. Your income is six dollars a week."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"You must regulate your expenses accordingly."

 

"I want to do so, Mr. Porter. How much board shall I have to pay?" asked Ben anxiously.

 

"I cannot tell without inquiring. There is a boarding-house on Warren Avenue, kept by a worthy⁵ lady of my acquaintance. How much do you fell able to pay?"

 

"I should like to have enough over to buy my clothes."

 

"We will see if we can manage it Get your hat and we will go to the boarding-house now."

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