pper. Mordaunt
had already spoken to Mrs. White about receiving our hero as a boarder.
Of course she was very ready to do so.

Tom felt, at first, a little embarrassed, but this feeling soon wore
away. He was not a guest, but a boarder, and was addressed by the
landlady and the boarders as Mr. Grey. He came near laughing the first
time he was called by this name, but soon got used to it.

It was a first-class boarding-house. There were some dozen boarders,
all of ample means. As Tom looked around him, and remembered that only
a short time previous he had been a New York street-boy and bootblack,
he could hardly believe that the change was permanent.

"What would they think if they knowed what I was?" he thought.

Next to him at table sat an elderly young lady, who was not in the
habit of receiving attentions from gentlemen of marriageable age, and
was therefore inclined to notice those more youthful.

"Do you like the opera, Mr. Grey?" she asked.

"Do you?" asked Tom, who had never heard an opera in his life.

New York bootblacks seldom attend such classic entertainments. They
prefer the old Bowery entertainments.

"I dote upon it," said Miss Green, enthusiastically.

"So do I," said Tom, much to Mordaunt's amusement.

"What is your favorite opera?" asked Miss Green.

"I haven't got any favorite," said Tom, who thought this the best
answer, as he did not know the name of any.

"I think Trovatore splendid."

"It's tip-top."

"That's a gentleman's word," said Miss Green, laughing. "I am glad you
agree with me. Do you sing yourself?"

"A little," said Tom. "Shall I come and sing under your window
to-night?"

There was a general laugh at this offer.

"Oh, do!" said Miss Green. "Do you often serenade ladies?"

"I used to, but I had to give it up."

"Why, Mr. Grey?"

"Because it was taken for a cat-concert, and people used to throw
bottles at me. I couldn't stand that."

"I'll promise not to throw any bottles at you, Mr. Grey."

"I'll let you know when I'm comin'," said Tom. "My voice ain't in order
just at present. When it is, I'll do my best to keep you awake."

"Really, Gilbert," said Mordaunt, when they had left the table, and
returned to their room, "you got up quite a flirtation with Miss Green.
It will be a good match for you. She's got money, and isn't more than
twice as old as you are."

"But when I got to be fifty she'd be a hundred," said Tom. "I guess
I'll leave her for you."

"She