Paul heard, with some regret, of Mr. Talbot's speedy return. It would curtail his income considerably. Still he felt that Mr. Talbot would be satisfied with the manner in which his mother and himself had acquitted themselves of their trust, and that was a source of satisfaction. He gave his mother immediate notice of the approaching return of Mr. Talbot, and she began to look about for rooms to which to remove. At length she found a very comfortable place at twenty dollars a month. Half that sum would have obtained them shelter in a poor tenement house, but both Paul and his mother had become fastidious, and felt that such economy would be out of place. They must have a respectable and comfortable home, even if they were prevented thereby from adding so much to their account at the savings-bank. At length the steamer in which the Talbots had taken passage arrived. A coach brought them from the pier to the house. Mrs. Hoffman and Paul were in waiting to receive them. Mrs. Talbot expressed herself pleased with the neat appearance of the house, and Mr. Talbot called Paul aside. "My young friend," he said, "I deferred, till my return home, the acknowledgment of your very creditable conduct in the defense of my house. You showed a coolness and good judgment remarkable in one of your age. In return for this, and in acknowledgment of the generally satisfactory manner in which you and your mother have kept my house, I ask your acceptance of this pocketbook, with its contents." When Paul opened it he was astonished and delighted to find that it contained two one-hundred dollar bills. "One of them properly belongs to you, mother," he said. But Mrs. Hoffman refused to take it. "No, Paul," she said, "you are the treasurer of our little household. Take this money and add to your savings. Some time you will find it useful in enlarging your business, or entering upon a new one." "I will put it in the savings-bank, as you recommend, mother; but you must remember that the fund there is yours as much as mine." "I will promise to call for money, Paul, whenever I want it. I like to think that we have so large a fund to draw upon in case of need." CHAPTER XXVI. FROM THE SIDEWALK TO THE SHOP. One morning, some months later, Paul was looking over the advertising columns of the _Herald._ As his eye glanced carelessly over the Chances for Business, his attention was drawn to the following: "FOR SALE The stock and fixtures of a gentlemen's small furnishing store. Good reasons for selling. Apply at No. -- Sixth avenue." "I wonder how much it would cost," thought Paul. "I wish I had a small store instead of a stand. I could make more money. Besides, it would be more comfortable in cold and stormy weather."