Chester felt no apprehension, however. He was sure he should succeed, and, indeed, he had reason to feel encouraged, for had he not already engaged two hundred dollars’ worth of work?—and this sum seemed as much to him as two thousand would have done to Mr. Conrad.
An hour glided by rapidly, and then a step was heard on the stairs.
“That’s cousin Herbert,” said Rob, and he ran to open the door.
“Hello, Rob. Did you find Chester?”
“Yes, here he is!”
“Glad to see you, Chester,” said the artist, shaking his hand cordially; “you must excuse my not going to meet you, but I was busily engaged on a large drawing for Harper’s Weekly, and, feeling in a favorable mood, I didn’t want to lose the benefit of my inspiration. You will find when you have more experience that an artist can accomplish three times as much when in the mood.
“I am glad you didn’t leave off for me. Rob has taken good care of me.”
“Yes, Rob is used to the city; I thought you would be in safe hands. And how do you like my quarters?”
“They are very pleasant. And the street is so wide, too.”
“Yes, I like Thirty-fourth street. I lodge, but I don’t board here.”