“There will be no trouble about that, sir.”
“Now it is my turn,” said the Englishman. “Here are five dollars to keep you till your first week’s wages come due. I dare say you will find them useful.”
“Thank you very much, sir. I was almost out of money.”
After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at the card and found that his new place of employment was situated on Reade Street not far from Broadway.
“It’s you that’s in luck, Rodney,” said his friend Mike. “Who’d think that a gentleman would come to the Lodging House to give you a place?”
“Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I’m going to make you a proposal.”
“What is it?”
“Why can’t we take a room together? It will be better than living here.”
“Sure you wouldn’t room with a poor boy like me?”
“Why shouldn’t I? You are a good friend, and I should like your company. Besides I mean to help you get an education. I suppose you’re not a first class scholar, Mike?”