"That is right. I don't wish the house to remain vacant, as it contains furniture and articles of value, and an empty house always presents temptations to rogues. You will be free to use the basement and the upper floor. When the rest of the house needs cleaning, or anything of that kind, as for instance when I am about to return, it will be done under your or your mother's oversight, but I will pay the bills. Directions will be sent you through my friend Mr. Preston."
"All right, sir," said Paul. "How soon would you wish us to come?"
"I would like you and your mother to call up this evening and see Mrs.
Talbot. You can move in next Tuesday, as we sail for Europe on the following day."
"Yes, sir," said Paul in a tone of satisfaction.
"I will expect you and your mother this evening. My number is ----."
"We will be sure to call, sir."
Mr. Talbot now spoke to Mr. Preston on another topic.
"Oh, by the way, Paul," said Mr. Preston in an interval of the conversation, "you said you wanted fifty dollars."
"I don't think I shall need it now, Mr. Preston," answered Paul. "I have some other money, but I supposed I might have to pay a month's rent in advance. Now that will not be necessary. I will bid you good-morning, sir."
"Good-morning, Paul. Call on me whenever you need advice or assistance."
"Thank you, sir; I will."
"That's what I call a good day's work," said Paul to himself in a tone of satisfaction. "Twenty dollars a month is a good deal to save. We shall grow rich soon at that rate."
He determined to go home at once and announce the good news. As he entered the room his mother looked up and inquired:
"Well, Paul, what news?"
"I've engaged a house, mother."
"A house? Where?"
"On Madison avenue."
"You are joking, Paul."
"No, I am not, or if I am, it's a good joke, for we are really to live in a nice house on Madison avenue and pay no rent at all."
"I can't understand it, Paul," said his mother, bewildered.
Paul explained the arrangement which he had entered into. It is needless to say that his mother rejoiced in the remarkable good luck which came to them just after the misfortune of the fire, and looked forward with no little pleasure to moving into their new quarters.
CHAPTER VII.
THE HOUSE ON MADISON AVENUE.
In the evening, as had been agreed, Paul accompanied his mother uptown to call on Mrs. Talbot and receive directions in regard to the house.
They had no difficulty in finding it. On ringing the bell they were ushered into an elegantly furnished parlor, the appearance of which indicated the wealth of the owner.
"Suppose we give a party, mother, after we move in," said Paul, as he sat on the sofa beside his mother, awaiting the appearance of Mrs.
Talbot.
"Mrs. Talbot might have an objection to our using her parlors for such a purpose."
"I wonder," said Paul reflectively, "whether I shall ever have a house of my own like this?"
"Not unless your business increases," said his mother, smiling.
"I rather think you are right, mother. Seriously, though, there are plenty of men in New York, who live in style now, who began the world with no better advantages than I. You see there is a chance for me too."
"I shall be satisfied with less," said his mother. "Wealth alone will not yield happiness."
"Still it is very comfortable to have it."
"No doubt, if it is properly acquired."
"If I am ever rich, mother, you may be sure that I shall not be ashamed of the manner in which I became so."
"I hope not, Paul."
Their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs. Talbot. She was a stout, comely-looking woman of middle age and pleasant expression.
"I suppose this is Mrs. Hoffman," she said.
Paul and his mother both rose.
"I am Mrs. Hoffman," said the latter. "I suppose I speak to Mrs.
Talbot?"
"You are right. Keep your seat, Mrs. Hoffman. Is this your son?"
Paul bowed with instinctive politeness, and his mother replied in the affirmative.
"Mr. Talbot tells me that you are willing to take charge of the house while we are absent in Europe."
"I shall be glad to do so."
"We have been looking out for a suitable family, and as our departure was so near at hand, were afraid we might not succeed in making a satisfactory arrangement. Fortunately Mr. Preston spoke to my husband of you, and this sets our anxiety at rest."
"I hope I may be able to answer your expectations, Mrs. Talbot," said Mrs. Hoffman modestly.
"I think you will," said Mrs. Talbot, and she spoke sincerely.
She had examined her visitor attentively, and had been very favorably impressed by her neat dress and quiet, lady-like demeanor. She had been afraid, when first informed by her husband of the engagement he had made, that Mrs. Hoffman might be a coarse, untidy woman, and she was very agreeably disappointed in her appearance.
"I suppose," she said, "you would like to look over the house."