The two boys kept on their way till they reached the lodging house. All was quiet; for in the day-time the boys are scattered about the streets, earning their livelihood in different ways. Only at supper-time they come back, and in the evening the rooms are well filled. Paul had been here before, not as a guest, for he had always had a home of his own; but he had called in the evening at different times. Julius had often passed the night there, during the lengthened intervals of Jack's enforced residence in public institutions.
They met Mr. O'Connor just coming out.
"How do you do, Paul? I hope you're well, Julius," said the superintendent, who has a remarkable faculty for remembering the names and faces of the thousands of boys that from time to time frequent the lodging house. "Do you want to see me?"
"Yes, sir," answered Paul; "but we won't detain you long."
"Never mind about that; my business can wait."
"Julius wants to go out West," proceeded Paul. "Now, what we want to find out is, when you are going to send a party out."
"This day week."
"Who is going out with it?"
"It is not quite decided. I may go myself," said the superintendent.
"Can Julius go out with you?"