ad not. The
architect was a man of gregarious instinct. As there is a tradition and
bonding of common interest about the Universities, and in a less degree
about army, navy, public schools, and professions, which draws together
and marks with its impress those who are attached to them, so there is a
certain cabala and membership among lodgers which none can understand
except those who are free of that guild.

The lodging-house life, call it squalid, mean, dreary if you will, is
not without its alleviations and counterpoises. It is a life of youth
for the most part, for lodgers of Mr Sharnall's age are comparatively
rare; it is a life of simple needs and simple tastes, for lodgings are
not artistic, nor favourable to the development of any undue refinement;
it is not a rich life, for men as a rule set up their own houses as soon
as they are able to do so; it is a life of work and buoyant
anticipation, where men are equipping for the struggle, and laying the
foundations of fortune, or digging the pit of indigence. Such
conditions beget and foster good fellowship, and those who have spent
time in lodgings can look back to whole-hearted and disinterested
friendships, when all were equal before high heaven, hail-fellows well
met, who knew no artificial distinctions of rank--when all were
travelling the first stage of life's journey in happy chorus together,
and had not reached that point where the high road bifurcates, and the
diverging branches of success and failure lead old comrades so very far
apart. Ah, what a camaraderie and fellowship, knit close by the urgency
of making both ends meet, strengthened by the necessity of withstanding
rapacious, or negligent, or tyrannous landladies, sweetened by
kindnesses and courtesies which cost the giver little, but mean much to
the receiver! Did sickness of a transitory sort (for grievous illness
is little known in lodgings) fall on the ground-floor tenant, then did
not the first-floor come down to comfort him in the evenings?
First-floor might be tired after a long day's work, and note when his
frugal meal was done that 'twas a fine evening, or that a good company
was billed for the local theatre; yet he would grudge not his leisure,
but go down to sit with ground-floor, and tell him the news of the day,
perhaps even would take him a few oranges or a tin of sardines. And
ground-floor, who had chafed all the day at being shut in, and had read
himself stupid for want of anyth