“How much do you charge for board?” he asked the landlady.
“Well,” said Mrs. Foster, for that was her name, “our price varies according to the room. It ranges from five to twelve dollars.”
“I would like a room for five dollars,” said Joshua.
“We have but one room vacant at present--a third-story back--but it is of good size, and if it is occupied alone, we must charge eight dollars.”
“I couldn’t pay so much; I can’t afford it,” said Joshua, decidedly.
“Haven’t you a friend you could get to room with you? In that case, I will charge ten dollars for the two.”
“I don’t know anybody in Chicago; I am a stranger here.”
“My rent is heavy,” continued the landlady, “and I ought to get ten dollars for the room, or eight dollars for one.”
“I can’t pay it. I must go somewhere else.”
“Would you mind rooming with another gentleman?”