“Somewhere up town, I believe.”
“Then, unfortunately, he is not available. If you would rather go with me than stay here, you can, but as I shall be most of the time in merchants’-counting-rooms, I am afraid it would not be very interesting.”
“I think,” said Frank, after a little hesitation, “that I will go off by myself. I won’t go very far, and if I lose my way, I will inquire for the Astor House.”
“Yes, anybody will direct you here. Very well, Frank, I am sorry I can’t do better for you.”
“Oh, never mind, uncle, I shall be amused in walking around, and looking at the shop-windows. There will be a great deal to see.”
Now Dick had listened to all this conversation. Being an enterprising young man, he thought he saw a chance for a speculation, and determined to avail himself of it.
Accordingly he stepped up to the two just as Frank’s uncle was about leaving, and said, “I know all about the city, sir; I’ll show him around, if you want me to.”
The gentleman looked a little curiously at the ragged figure before him.
“So you are a city boy, are you?”
“Yes, sir,” said Dick, “I’ve lived here ever since I was a baby.”