CHAPTER II.
WHERE MARK LIVED.
There is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.
It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived. It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.
Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.
His mother greeted him with a pleasant smile.
"You are through early, Mark," she said.
"Yes, mother. I was let off earlier than usual, as there was an errand up this way that fortunately took very little time."
"I'm glad you've come home, Mark," said Edith, "I want you to help me in my map questions."
"All right, Edie, but you will have to wait till after supper. I've got something to tell mother."