A. That’s just the means to accomplish it. Many people judge of the style and reputation of a house by the price asked. You ought to insist on at least fifteen or twenty dollars for the best rooms, and a little less for those not so desirable.
Mrs. J. But that won’t correspond with the advertisement, where I say I take boarders for company, rather than to make money.
A. I don’t think that will ever be noticed; but if it should, you can say with truth, that you could not pay your expenses if you charged less.
Mrs. J. Well, I hope we may be successful, for I have made such an outlay in fitting up the house, that our income will this year be far less than usual, and our expenses correspondingly larger.
A. There’s no doubt of our success. Three months from now we shall be able not only to defray our necessary expenses, but also to replace the money which you were obliged to draw to pay for the furniture.
(Curtain falls.)
Scene II.—The same. Amanda, L., present. She is looking over the morning paper. Enter Mrs. Jones, R.
Mrs. Jones. Ah, has the paper come, Amanda?
Amanda. Yes, and the advertisement is inserted, and reads well. (Passes paper to her mother.)
Mrs. J. That seems to be right—(listens—sound of bell is heard). But hark! Isn’t that the door bell?