"What are you thinking about, Rupert?" asked Frank Sylvester, who noticed his expression. Rupert hesitated. "Come, tell me. I am your friend." "I couldn't help thinking of the very different supper my mother will have." "To be sure. You are a good boy for thinking of her. Where do you live?" "At 117 Elizabeth Street." Frank Sylvester took out a note book and jotted down the address. Rachel Clark waited upon the table. Sylvester saw that her curiosity was excited about Rupert, and he decided to gratify it. "I suppose you are wondering where I met my new friend, Rachel?" he said. "Yes, sir." "He met me. I had been drinking too much, and I am afraid I should have got into trouble if he had not taken charge of me." Rachel beamed upon Rupert. "He was very kind," she said, "but oh, Mr. Frank----" "I know just what you are going to say, Rachel," said Sylvester, good-humoredly. "I am going to have Rupert come and see me often, and he will help keep me straight. And by the way, Rachel, his mother is poor, and I want you to put up some cold meat and other nice things in a basket. I will send them to her." "I shall be very glad to do so, Mr. Frank." "You will stand high in Rachel's good graces, Rupert," said Sylvester, as she left the room. "She thinks everything of me, and evidently believes I am safe in your company. Suppose I make you my guardian?" "I am afraid you wouldn't look up to me with the proper respect, Mr. Sylvester." "Then for respect we will substitute attachment. Now tell me a little about yourself. How does it happen that you are out of a place?" "It's the dull times, Mr. Sylvester. I was in the employ of Tenney & Rhodes." "I know the firm." "And they would have retained me if business had been good, but I was laid off on Saturday." "What wages did they pay you?" "Five dollars a week." "And you lived on that?" "We tried to." "While I have had and wasted large sums of money. If I were in business I would give you a place. As it is, I will see if any of my friends want a clerk." When supper was over, Rupert said he must go. "Won't you stay the evening?" asked his new friend. "At least wait a few minutes. Rachel is putting up a basket for you." The servant presently appeared with a basket neatly covered with a napkin. "Perhaps I had better send it by an expressman, Rupert." "Oh, no, sir. I shall be glad to carry it myself. It will be very acceptable at home." As Rupert lifted it, Sylvester took from his pocket the purse from which Rupert had paid the car fare and handed it to him. "Accept it," he said, "in return for your friendly services." "You are paying me too liberally, Mr. Sylvester." "Let me judge of that." In the street Rupert did not wait to examine the purse. It was growing late, and he was in haste to get home. He feared that his mother might feel anxious about him, and he made his way as quickly as possible to the nearest Elevated station.