w, I have wasted my time in drinking among unworthy companions. The
fact is, I am of a sociable disposition, and I found my room lonely.
Now I want to turn over a new leaf, give up drinking, and devote myself
more to study."

"I want to study, too," said Tom. "I'm as ignorant as a horse. I'll
have to study some evenings."

"I'll teach you," said Mordaunt. "We'll spend our evenings that way,
instead of in bar-rooms."

"All right," said our hero. "That suits me. But I ought not to let you
pay my board."

"I can well afford it. My money is securely invested, and brings me in
six thousand dollars a year clear."

"I shall have to work from now till I'm a gray-haired old patriarch
before I earn six thousand dollars," said Tom, comically.

Mordaunt laughed.

"I hope it isn't so bad as that," he said. "Well, do you agree?"

"To come here as your guardian?"

"Yes, if you put it in that way."

"You are very kind to me," said our hero, changing his tone and
speaking earnestly. "I am a poor boy, and don't know much. I'm afraid
you'll be ashamed of introducing me to your friends."

"Friends! I have no friends that care for me. They care for my money,
and are jolly enough; but, if I needed help, they wouldn't give it. I
don't know why it is, but I like you. You saved my life this morning,
and I would rather have you live with me than any one I know. So, when
your clothes are dry, go round to the hotel, and bring your trunk
here."

"I haven't got any trunk," said Tom. "I wouldn't have any use for one.
I've got a carpet-bag."

"Very well. Bring that. Now you must do me a favor."

"All right. Only if it's to lend you a hundred dollar bill, I'm afraid
I couldn't do it."

"I hope some time you will be rich enough to grant such favor; but that
isn't the favor I meant."

"What is it?"

"You must let me buy you some more clothes."

Tom was about to object, but Mordaunt continued:

"Remember, I've got more money than I know what to do with. I owe you
something for the wetting I exposed you to."

"I won't resist very hard," said Tom. "I s'pose you want your guardian
to look respectable."

Later in the day, when their clothes were dry, Mordaunt took Tom to a
fashionable clothing store, and bought him two suits of clothes, of
handsome cloth and stylish cut, and, in addition, purchased him a
sufficient stock of under-clothing. He also ordered a trunk to be sent
up to the room. Then, it being time, they went home to su