Considering the character of the meals Ben felt that this would not be quite satisfactory. He could probably live better on three dollars a week.
“I think I ought to have more than that,” he said.
“It’s easy work,” rejoined the proprietor persuasively.
“But I shall need a little money.”
Finally Ben succeeded in making a bargain for his meals and twenty-five cents a day, payable at seven o’clock when his duties would close. This was not much, and he could not tell where he could get enough to pay his weekly rent, but in the low state of his finances he did not feel justified in refusing the offer.
“All right,” he said, “I’ll try it for a while.”
“Don’t give to everybody—only to those who are likely to come in and eat. I had a boy working for me last week who gave circulars to five-year old kids, and I had to run up a big printing bill to keep him supplied. I only gave him his meals, but he was a ragged boy, and you are so well dressed that it will give tone to my establishment.”
Ben felt glad that his good clothes were likely to increase his earnings. He took his stand outside the restaurant and began to distribute circulars.
Evidently he created a favorable impression, for several persons of a grade higher than the ordinary frequenters of the restaurant took the bills and entered, considerably to the satisfaction of the watchful landlord. But they were not all satisfied.
“I say, Johnny,” said a florid-looking man, as he left the eating house, “I don’t think much of your hotel. I thought from your looks it was something away up. Do you eat there?”