"Rather a dismal picture, isn't it?" asked Philip. "It suggests a kalsominer's attempt to copy a Corot." "I'm keeping my eyes closed," Grace replied. "I'm going to defer being impressed by the town until a sunny day arrives." "If you were to look about you now," said Philip, gloomily, "you'd see the fag end of nothing--the jumping-off place of the world. How my uncle succeeded in living here--still stranger in making money here--passes my comprehension." The best room at the hotel proved to be quite clean, but as bare as a hotel chamber could be, and also very cold. Philip begged for one with a fire, but was told that all warmed rooms were already occupied by regular lodgers. Fortunately breakfast was being served. It consisted of fried pork, fried sausage, fried eggs, tough biscuits, butter of a flavor which the newest guests neither recalled nor approved, two kinds of pie, and coffee. "If this is the best hotel Caleb could find for us, what can the worst be?" whispered Philip. "Perhaps we can find board in a private family," whispered Grace, in reply. "How early will Somerton's store be open?" asked Philip of the landlord, who had also served as table-waiter. "It's been open since daybreak, I reckon; it usually is," was the reply. "I shouldn't wonder if you was the new boss, seein' you have the same name. Well, I'm glad to see you. I'm one of your customers." "Thank you very much. Is the store far from here?" "Only two blocks up street. You'll find Caleb there. You know Caleb Wright?" "Oh, yes; I've been here before." "That so? Must have put up at the other hotel, then--or mebbe you stopped with your uncle." "Er--yes, for the little while I was in town. I wish there was a warm room in which my wife could rest, while I go up to the store to see Caleb." "Well, what's the matter with the parlor? Come along; let me show you." Philip looked into the parlor; so did Grace, who quickly said:-- "Do let me go to the store with you. You know I always enjoy a walk after breakfast." "Pretty soft walkin', ma'am," said the landlord, after eying Grace's daintily shod feet. "Better let me borrow you my wife's gum shoes; she ain't likely to go out of the house to-day. You ought to have gum boots, though, if you're dead set on walkin' about in winter." Grace thanked the landlord for his offer and advice, but hurried Phil out of the hotel, after which she said:-- "That was my first visit to a hotel of any kind. Do they improve on acquaintance? Oh, Phil! Don't look so like a thunder-cloud! What can the matter be?" "I should have been thoughtful enough to come a day or two in advance, and found a proper home for you. I hope Caleb will know of one. Be careful!--the sidewalk is ending. Let me go first."