“Seventy-five cents,” answered Gilbert.
“That is quite fair.”
“I suppose it is all I could reasonably expect, but it won’t pay my expenses. At that rate my weekly income will be but four dollars and a half, while, as you know, my board amounts to six dollars.”
“I will pay the extra dollar and a half.”
“You are a true friend, Mr. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, gratefully, “but that doesn’t dispose of all my difficulties. I shall have no money for washing, or to purchase clothing.”
“But you expect to get your place back in a week.”
“Even if I do, my income will be only five dollars. I never supposed it was so difficult to make a living before.”
“Wait and hope, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, cheerfully. “That is what I had to do when I first came to the city. It was weeks before I got anything to do at all. I got almost discouraged. Finally, through the influence of a friend, I got a foothold, and have been able to live comfortably ever since.”
“I won’t get discouraged just yet, at any rate,” said Gilbert. “I will wait and see how things come out. If I am forced to remain in the paper business, I must find some way of increasing my income. I might combine a little baggage-smashing with it.”
“That’s one thing I like about you, Gilbert,” said the young man. “You have no false shame, but undertake whatever work you find to do.”