"That's more than I know. Mother here isn't sure whether she prefers the St Nicholas or Fifth Avenue."
"Paul likes to joke at my expense," said Mrs. Hoffman.
"Come over and stop with us to-night," said Sam. "My mother'll be glad to have you."
"Thank you, Sam," said Mrs. Hoffman, who knew the boy as a friend of Paul, "but I shouldn't like to trouble your mother."
"It'll be no trouble," said Sam eagerly.
"If you think it won't, Sam," said Paul, "we'll accept for to-night. I am afraid they wouldn't take us in at any of the big hotels with only one dress, and that not made up, by way of baggage. To-morrow I'll find some other rooms."
"Come along, then," said Sam, leading the way. "We'll have a jolly time to-night, Paul."
"By way of celebrating the fire. It's jolly enough for us, but I shouldn't like it too often."
"I say, Paul," said Sam, wheeling round, "if you're out of stamps, I've got a dollar or two that I can spare."
"Thank you, Sam; you're a brick! But I've saved my bank-book, and I've got plenty to start on. Much obliged to you, all the same."