"Five dollars a week and my meals. I have to hire a room outside." "And you say I can get a room for two dollars a week?" "Yes. Perhaps for a dollar and a half." "Then I could get along." "You might not like the duties of a bell-boy." "What are they?" Rupert explained. "How early should I get off at night?" "At six o'clock. The bell-boy who is about to leave is on through the day like myself." "That would suit me. I could go to the theatre in the evening." "True." "If I don't get a chance to act to-day I will take the place if you can get it for me. It will be much better than going back to Rahway. Besides, my father will think better of me if he hears that I have found a place where I can make my expenses." "Does he know that you have had thoughts of becoming an actor?" "No; I never told him, but my mother knows it." "What does she say to it?" "She thinks I am smart enough to succeed, but fears I might get into bad company." "There is danger of that." "Not for me. I don't care for drinking, and I belong to the temperance society." "So do I." "When a boy is ambitious to be great I don't think he is likely to get dissipated." "Perhaps you are right. One thing I must say to you, Leslie. If you take the place of bell-boy you must try to give satisfaction." "I will, for it will keep me in the city. In Rahway there is no chance of my rising in life." Rupert foresaw that there was very little chance of his new friend getting a position in any theatre, and he spoke at once to the manager of the hotel about giving a place as bell-boy to Leslie. "Is he a friend of yours, Rupert?" asked the manager. "Yes, sir." "Have you known him long?" "Not long enough to be sure that he will be satisfactory. Still you might be willing to take him on trial." "I will try him for a week. If at the end of that time he suits me moderately well I will retain him." "I will coach him a little and instruct him in his duties." "That will help." In the evening Leslie came home just before Rupert got through his day's work. He did not look as if he had succeeded. Still he was not as sober as the day before. "Well?" said Rupert. "What luck?" "I don't get a place. In some of the theatres they did not treat me respectfully, though one manager admitted that he went on the stage earlier than I did." "Where was that?" "In Brooklyn." "Then I suppose you will be ready to accept the place of bell-boy?" "Yes; but if a chance should come of my going on the stage I should want to resign it." "You had better not say anything about that. Wait till the chance comes." "I have one piece of good news," said Leslie, more cheerfully. "In two weeks a spectacular piece will be put on the stage at Niblo's, and they have promised me a place as supe." "How much will you be paid?" "Only twenty-five cents a night, but it will be a beginning. I shall have a place behind the footlights. More than one actor has made his start in that way."