“How long are you going to stay in the city?” asked his friend.
“I ain’t going back to Stapleton,” answered Joshua. “I’ve got sick and tired of it.”
“Are you going into a store in New York?”
“Yes, if I can find a place. You’ll help me, won’t you, Sam?”
“I’ll do all I can. So the old man was willing to let you come?”
“No, he wasn’t. I came away without asking him.”
“Did you?” said Sam, cooling a little, for he was afraid that in that case Joshua was not supplied with money. “How do you expect to live while you’re looking out for a place?”
“I can board somewhere. Can’t I get in at your boarding place?”
“Why, you see,” said Sam, “they’ll expect you to pay your board every week in advance unless you can give references. I’m hard up, so I can’t help you.”
“Oh, I’ve got money,” said Joshua.