“I think we will try it,” he said. “Will you stay here to-night, or come to-morrow, Gilbert?”
Gilbert thought of Mrs. Briggs, and answered, “I will begin now. I suppose I shall need to send for my trunk.”
“I will send it by an expressman—to-night, if possible.”
“In the case of strangers,” said the landlady, hesitating, “we expect something in advance.”
“I will pay you a week in advance,” said Mr. Briggs.
He drew six dollars from his pocket-book, and handed it to the smiling landlady.
“Of course, sir,” she said apologetically, “it isn’t necessary with a gentleman like you, but it is our custom.”
“Quite right, madam. I may as well tell you that I will be responsible for this boy’s board. Here is my card.”
Mr. Briggs was a well-known business man, and his name was familiar to the landlady.
“I am glad to have a friend of yours in my house,” she said. “I hope the young gentleman will find everything satisfactory.”