Two things must be done at once. He must find a room and employment. He had taken down two or three names of lodging-houses from the New York Herald, which Mr. Griswold took in every morning. One of them was on West Twelfth Street. He took a car and went up there. The door was opened by a woman of ample proportions, who regarded Ben with a critical eye.
“Well, young man?” she said in a tone of business-like inquiry.
“I want to hire a room,” said Ben.
“Will you occupy it alone?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Do you wish a large or a small room?”
“I want a low-priced room.”
“That means a small room.”
“I have no objection to a large room if the price is low,” said Ben, smiling.