ter had once boarded with her.

"Very well, thank you, Mrs. Draper. How is business? Pretty
full, eh?"

"Yes, sir; I've only got one small room vacant."

"May we see it?"

"It won't suit you, Mr. Porter."

"It may suit my young friend here."

"A relative of yours?" inquired Mrs. Draper.

"No, but he is a young friend in whom I feel an interest."

"I shall be very glad if the room suits him, then."

Mrs. Draper led the way up-stairs to the vacant room. It was small,
but neatly carpeted, and provided all that was needful in a chamber.

"How much do you like it, Ben?" asked the bookkeeper.

"Very much," said Ben, in a tone of satisfaction.

Mr. Porter walked to the other end of the room and discussed terms
with Mrs. Draper in a low tone.

"What is your price for this room with board?"

"I have generally got six dollars a week."

"I want you to let my young friend have it for four."

"I really couldn't do it, Mr. Porter. You have no idea how much I
have to pay at the market for meat and vegetables. Then my
landlord won't reduce my rent."

"You don't understand me, Mrs. Draper," said the bookkeeper.
"You are to charge him only four dollars; but I propose to make
up the difference."

"That is, of course, satisfactory."

"One thing more. My young friend is not to know about this
arrangement. He is to suppose that four dollars a week is payment in
full."

"There is only one objection to that, Mr. Porter. If my other
boarders suppose that is all he pays, they will make a fuss, and want
their rate of board reduced."

"Then he shall be cautioned to keep the price he pays secret. Ben!"

Ben walked over to where they were standing.

"Mrs. Draper agrees to take you at the very low price of four dollars
a week for room and board."

Ben looked delighted.

"Then I shall have money enough from my wages to pay all my
expenses without calling on Aunt Jane."

"Yes, if you are economical. As this price is extremely low, you are
not to mention to any of the other boarders how much you pay."

"I will be sure to remember it," said Ben.

As they were leaving the house Mr. Porter said: "Don't suppose,
Ben, that I am anxious to get rid of you. I had half a mind to keep
you with me a week or two. But one thing deterred me. You are
a poor boy, and have your own way to make in the world. You
can't for years afford to live as I am doing. If I accustomed you to
living expensively it would be harder f