“By the way, Phil, talking of gore; there’s a peach of a show at the Bowdoin Square this week: ‘The River Pirates.’ They say it’s simply lovely. There’s one scene on the East River where a police launch chases the pirates, with a dandy fight; the launch blows up and a big ocean liner comes along just in the nick of time and rescues everybody. All right on the stage! It’s great! I’m going in Thursday evening; want to come?” “No; I can’t, Chester.” “Got something on for Thursday? How about Saturday? I rather like Saturday nights, anyway.” “I can’t afford it,” answered Phillip. “Fact is, Chester, I’ve got to go awfully slow the rest of the year. Things haven’t turned out very well with us at home. When father died I thought he had left plenty of money, but I’ve found out just lately that we have practically nothing. So, you see, I’m out of theatres and such things.” “I’m sorry to hear that, Phil; I know how it is to be hard up. But, look here; come along with me; I’ll treat. I’d have done it before, only I imagined you had plenty of tin. Will you?” “I’d rather not, thanks,” Phillip answered. “Oh, come on; don’t be so fussy! I’d let you pay if I was hard up!” “No, Chester. I’m much obliged to you, but I’ve sworn off on theatres.” “Oh, all right. But I wish you would. By the way, I met John North yesterday. He said you’d changed your room and wanted to know if I could tell him where you were living. But I didn’t know anything about it. He said he’d been looking all over for you.” “Yes; I gave up those rooms I had. They were rather high, and I found I could give them up by paying a month’s rent. I’m rooming on Dewolf Street.” “Jumping Moses! Dewolf Street! Man, that’s the limit! It must be awful, isn’t it? All babies and muckers and pushcarts and things like that?” “Well, it isn’t as nice as some places,” answered Phillip evasively, “but it will do all right. It’s good and cheap.” Chester observed him commiseratingly for a moment. Then he asked suddenly: “Did you bring Maid back?” “No, I left her. She’s happier at home, I reckon.” “Good work! Then look here, Phil; what’s the matter with coming here? I wish you would! It would only be forty dollars for the rest of the year. Would that be too much?” “No; that’s what I pay where I am; only――if I really thought you wanted me and weren’t just taking pity on me, I’d like mighty well to come.” “Pity be blowed! Of course I want you. I wish I’d known before that you were going to change.” “But I haven’t any furniture,” Phillip objected. “I sold about everything.” “You wouldn’t need anything except a bed, and you can get that cheap any old place. Will you come?” “Yes. You’re mighty good, Chester.”