“Do you board?”
“Yes,” said Tom. “I board with Mrs. Murphy, in Mulberry Street.”
It struck the lady that Murphy was an Irish name, but the name of the street suggested nothing to her. She judged from Tom’s appearance that she belonged to a family in comfortable circumstances.
“I wish I knew the number of Mrs. Thurston’s house,” said the lady rather anxiously. “I’m so afraid I shan’t find it.”
“I’ll tell you what,” said Tom, “I’ll go with you, if you want me to.”
“I wish you would,” said the lady, much relieved. “It would be a great favor.”
“I s’pose you won’t mind givin’ me a quarter,” added Tom, with a sharp eye to the main chance; not unreasonably, since she was penniless.
“I’ll give you double that amount,” said the lady, “and thank you into the bargain. I’m not much used to travelling, and feel as helpless as a child.”
“I’ll take care of you,” said Tom, confidently. “I’ll take you to Mrs. Thurston’s right side up with care.”
“She talks rather singularly,” thought the lady; but Tom’s confident tone inspired her with corresponding confidence, and she enjoyed the rest of her journey much more than she would otherwise have done. Tom’s request for compensation did not surprise her, for she reflected that children have always a use for money.