Sam privately thought him too countrified in appearance for the position he desired, but did not say so. "Have you had any experience?" he asked, curiously. "Oh, yes; I used to drive the wagon for a grocery store, to hum." Sam privately doubted whether this experience would be of any particular value to his new acquaintance. However, he had not much faith in his own qualifications, and this concerned him more. "What's your name?" inquired Sam. "Abner Blodgett," was the reply. "What's yours?" "Sam Barker." "You don't say! There's a doctor in our town by the name of Barker; any relation?" "I guess not. I never heard of a doctor in our family." Presently they reached the number indicated. Sam rang the bell. "You are looking for a boarding-place," he explained. "We saw your advertisement in the _Herald._" "Walk in," said the servant. "I'll tell Mrs. Campbell." Mrs. Campbell presently appeared; a shrewd-looking Scotch lady, but kindly in expression. "You are looking for a boarding place, gentlemen?" she inquired. "Yes, ma'am." "I have one single room and one double one. For the single room I have eight dollars a week; for the double one fourteen, that is, seven dollars for each gentleman. Do you two gentlemen wish to room together?" "Yes," answered Blodgett, immediately; "if you are willing," he added aside, to Sam. "Let us look at the rooms," said Sam, "and then we can tell better." "Walk up this way, gentlemen," said Mrs. Campbell. She led the way first to the double room. It was a square room, the second floor back, and looked quite neat and comfortable. Sam liked the appearance of it, and so apparently did Abner Blodgett. "Ain't it scrumptious, though?" he said, admiringly. "We ain't got many rooms like that to hum." "I suppose you are from the country, sir?" said Mrs. Campbell, with a good-natured smile. "Yes," said Blodgett, "I'm from New Hampshire; away up near Mount Washington." "Let me see the single room," requested Sam. The single room was shown; but it was, of course, much smaller, and the furniture was inferior. "We'd better take the big room together," said Abner. Sam hesitated a moment. He was not very particular, but he did not altogether fancy the appearance of Mr. Blodgett. "How much do you charge for the large room for a single person?" he asked. "I couldn't take less than eleven dollars," said the landlady. It was, of course, impossible for Sam to pay any such sum, and he reluctantly agreed to occupy the room jointly with Mr. Blodgett. "When will you move in?" asked Mrs. Campbell. "To-day," said Sam. "I must ask you to pay something in advance, to secure the room, gentlemen." Sam had no luggage beyond a small bundle, and he answered at once, "I'll pay a week in advance." "Thank you, sir." Sam handed the landlady ten dollars and received in return three. "I'll pay you to-morrow," said Blodgett. "I've got to get the money from my cousin."