"All right," said Sam. "I'll be down in a jiffy." Two minutes were sufficient for Sam to explain the situation. His mother, a good, motherly woman, at once acknowledged the claim upon her hospitality. She came downstairs at once, and said heartily to Paul, whom she knew: "Come right up, Paul. And so this is your mother. I am very glad to see you, Mrs. Hoffman. Come right up, and I'll do all I can to make you comfortable." "I am afraid we shall give you trouble, Mrs. Norton," said Mrs. Hoffman. "Not in the least. The more the merrier, that's my motto. I haven't got much to offer, but what there is you are very welcome to." The room into which they were ushered was covered with a plain, coarse carpet. The chairs were wooden, but there was a comfortable rocking-chair, a cheap lounge, and a bookcase with a few books, besides several prints upon the wall. Sam's father was a policeman, while his mother was a New England woman of good common-school education, neat and thrifty, and so, though their means were small, she managed to make a comfortable home. Mrs. Hoffman looked around her with pleased approval. It was pleasant to obtain even temporary refuge in so homelike a place. "Is this your little brother who draws such fine pictures?" asked Mrs. Norton. Jimmy looked pleased but mystified. How should Mrs. Norton have heard of his pictures? "You must draw me a picture to-night, won't you?" asked Mrs. Norton. "I should like to, if I can have a pencil and some paper. All mine are burned up." "Sam will give you some from his desk. But you must be hungry." Sam was drawn aside by his mother, and, after a whispered conference, was dispatched to the butcher's and baker's, when he soon returned with a supply of rolls and beefsteak, from which in due time an appetizing meal was spread, to which all did full justice. CHAPTER IV. THE POLICEMAN'S HOME. It was not till later in the evening that Mr. Norton came in. He had been on duty all day, and to-night he was free. Though one of the constituted guardians of the public peace, he was by no means fierce or formidable at home, especially after he had doffed his uniform, and put on an old coat. "Edward," said his wife, "this is Paul's mother, who was burned out to-day. So I have asked her to stay here till she can find a place of her own." "That is right," said the policeman. "Mrs. Hoffman, I am glad to see you. Paul has been here before. He is one of Sam's friends." "Paul likes to keep in with father," said Sam slyly, "considering he is on the police." "If he is to be known by the company he keeps," said Mr. Norton, "he might have to steer clear of you."