key, but we've
got ther money, an' we'll pay it to yer now."

"I don't want it," replied the unfortunate tradesman, "an' I didn't
say what I did to make you pay me. If you fellers will let me own
twenty cents' worth of ther house I'll be all right, for then I'll
have a place to live, an' I kin get back in ther boot-blackin' bizness
agin."

It would be crowding rather close to put four into the hogshead; but
matters could be arranged by turning their store-room into a
bedchamber, and Dickey's request was granted without the slightest
show of hesitation.

"We're goin' round town awhile," said Johnny to the bankrupt merchant,
"an' you'd better come along with us."

Dickey shook his head very decidedly. He had no desire to mingle with
the world while his loss bore so heavily upon him, and he was so
emphatic in his determination to go directly to the home he had once
sold, that no amount of persuasion could induce him to change his
mind.

After promising to return early, in order to cheer him in his
troubles, the boys continued their interrupted way to Chatham Square,
where, by the greatest good-luck, both Nelly and her mother were found
seated behind a huge basket piled high with peaches and pears. They
were sure of having a pleasant call at this establishment, for Mrs.
Green could attend to the customers while the daughter entertained
them.

Nelly was rather diffident before this strange boy, who was dressed so
well, and apparently had very little in common with the society in
which she moved; but after Ben had given her a detailed account of
Paul's circumstances, as he had to Mopsey, the case seemed entirely
changed, and she was even more sociable with Paul than with her
friends. Johnny and Ben related everything of interest that they had
learned since they had seen Nelly last, and concluded the recital by
an account of Dickey Spry's misfortunes.

Nelly seemed unusually anxious to know how they could all live in the
rather narrow quarters, and after some conversation regarding it,
disclosed the reason of her sudden interest by informing the boys that
since they had called last her mother had moved, and that their home
was larger than formerly.

"We've got two rooms that we sha'n't use," continued Nelly, speaking
quickly in her excitement, "an' mother thought perhaps you or some of
the boys would come up an' board with us. We'll make it just as
pleasant for you as we can, an' it won't cost you much more than it