nk," she wrote. "At present we are well and prospering, but the time
may come when our income will be diminished, and then it will be very
comfortable to have some money laid aside."

Chester acted upon his mother's suggestion. He did not tell her how
much he earned. He wished this to be an agreeable surprise at some
future day.

Then Chester moved into a larger room. The hall bedroom which he had
hitherto occupied was taken by a young man of nineteen named Edward
Granger. He was slender and looked younger than he was.

He did not seem strong, and there was a sad expression on his face.
Sometimes he called on Chester, but for several days they had not met.
About six o'clock one afternoon Chester knocked at his door.

"Come in!" he heard, in a low voice.

Entering, he saw Edward lying on the bed face downward, in an attitude
of despondency.

"What's the matter, Edward?" he asked. "Are you sick?"

"Yes, sick at heart," was the sad reply.

"How is that?" inquired Chester, in a tone of sympathy.

"I have lost my place."

"When was that?"

"Three days since. My employer has engaged in my place a boy from the
country--his nephew--and I am laid aside."

"That is unfortunate, certainly, but you must try to get another place.
Your employer will give you a recommendation, won't he?"

"Yes, I have one in my pocket, but it is not easy to get a new place,
and meanwhile----" He hesitated.

"Meanwhile you are out of money, I suppose," said Chester.

"Yes; I couldn't save anything. I got only five dollars a week, and my
room costs two. I suppose, when the week is up, Mrs. Randolph will turn
me into the street."

"Not while you have a friend in the next room," said Chester,
cordially.

Edward looked up quickly.

"Will you really be my friend?" he asked.

"Try me. Have you had supper?"

"I have not eaten anything for two days," answered Granger, sadly.

"Why didn't you call upon me? I wouldn't have seen you suffer."

"I didn't like to ask. I thought you would consider me a beggar."

"You will understand me better after a while. Now put on your hat and
come out with me."

Edward did so, but he was so weak from long fasting that he was obliged
to lean upon Chester in walking to the restaurant, which was luckily
near by.

"Let me advise you to take some soup first," said Chester. "Your
stomach is weak, and that will prepare it for heartier food."

"I don't feel hungry," returned Edward. "I only feel faint."