Mary Ogden had the map of New York out upon the table that evening, and was examining it, when there came a ring at the door-bell. "It's a boy from Crozier's with a package," said Mrs. Murdoch; "and Mary, it's for you!" "For me?" said Mary, in blank astonishment. It was indeed addressed to her, and contained a short note: "The girl who was not afraid of six angry men is requested to accept this silk dress, with the compliments of her admiring friends, "SEVEN OLD MEN OF MERTONVILLE." "Oh, but, Mrs. Murdoch," said Mary, in confusion, "I don't know what to say or do. It's very kind of them!--but ought I to take it?" This testimonial pleased Mr. Murdoch even more than it pleased Mary. He insisted Mary should keep it, and she at last consented. But not even the new dress made Mary forget to wonder how Jack was faring. The lightning express made short work of the trip to Albany, and Jack was glad of it, for he had not had any dinner. His new acquaintances invited him to accompany them to the Delavan House. As they left the station, Mr. Magruder took from his pocket a small pamphlet. "Humph!" he said. "Guide-book to the New York City and Hudson River. I had forgotten that I had it. Don't you want it, Ogden? It'll be something to read on the boat." "Won't you keep it?" asked Jack, hesitating. "Oh, no," said Mr. Magruder. "I was going to throw it away." So Jack put the book into his pocket. It was a short walk to the Delavan House, but it was through more bustle and business, considering how quiet everybody was, Jack thought, than he ever saw before. He went with the rest to the hotel office, and heard Mr. Magruder give directions about Jack's room and bill. "He's going to pay for me for one day," Jack said to himself, "and until the evening boat goes to-morrow." "Ogden," said Mr. Magruder, "I can't ask you to dine with us. It's a private party--have your dinner, and then wait for me here." "All right," said Jack, and then he stood still and tried to think what to do. "I must go to my room, now, and leave my satchel there," he said to himself. "I don't want anybody to know I never was in a big hotel before." He managed to get to his room without making a single blunder, but the moment he closed the door he felt awed and put down. "It's the finest room I was ever in in all my life!" he exclaimed. "They must have made a mistake. Perhaps I'll have a bedroom like this in my own house some day." Jack made himself look as neat as if he had come out of a bandbox, before he went down-stairs. The dining-room was easily found, and he was shown to a seat at one of the tables, and a bill of fare was handed him; but that was only one more puzzle. "I don't know what some of these are," he said to himself. "I'll try things I couldn't get in Crofield. I'll begin on those clams with little necks." So the waiter set before him a plate of six raw clams.