"Gilbert Grey. Some call me Tom, for short." "Now, Gilbert, make yourself at home. The best thing we can do is to strip at once, and put on dry clothes." He went to a wardrobe and brought out two suits of clothes, also a supply of under-clothing. "There," said he, "go ahead and change your clothes." Tom followed directions obediently, while his companion was similarly employed. Of course, it was necessary to wash, also. The clothes were too large for him, but still not much, as he was a well-grown boy, and Mr. Mordaunt was by no means large. "How do you like the looks?" asked the young man, as Tom surveyed himself in a handsome mirror. "I expect it's me, but I ain't certain," said Tom. "It'll take me some time to grow to these clothes." "They are rather big, that's a fact," said the young man, smiling. "When the servant comes up with the coffee, we'll send down our suits to be dried. Will your friends feel anxious about you?" "There's one will, I expect," said Tom. "Who is that--your mother?" "No; it's my intimate friend, Maurice Walton. He can't bear me out of his sight, or in it, either." Mordaunt laughed. "So he's very devoted, is he?" "You bet he is." Here there was a knock at the door. "Come in," called Mordaunt. Bridget entered with a waiter, on which were a coffee-pot, some cups and saucers, sugar, etc., beside a plate of sandwiches. "Thank you, Bridget," said Mordaunt. "I see you understood what was wanted. Now, if you'll take down them wet clothes and dry them for us, we will be much obliged." "I'll do it, Mr. Mordaunt," said the willing handmaiden. "Now, Gilbert, sit down, and we'll have a good cup of coffee apiece," said Mordaunt. "You're hungry, are you not?" "Bathin' in such a big tub gave me an appetite," said Tom; "but I wouldn't like to get up an appetite that way every day." "Nor I. It's too much trouble, not to speak of the danger. How do you find the coffee?" "Tip-top." "It's a good deal better than wine, eh?" "That's so." "Now, Gilbert, while we are taking lunch I have a little plan to propose to you." "All right. I'm ready." CHAPTER XV. TOM CHANGES HIS BOARDING-HOUSE. "Where are you boarding?" Mordaunt began. "At the Ohio Hotel. But I don't mean to stay. I'm lookin' out some first-class boardin'-house, where they don't charge mor'n five dollars a week." "You haven't found one yet?" "No." "Come here and room with me." "Don't you pay but five dollars?" "Rather more," said Mordaunt, laughing. "I only get five dollars a week for my valuable services," said Tom. "I pay that for board, and get my clothes with the balance. If I hadn't a fortune of ten dollars to fall back upon, I'd have to go without." "Is that really the way you are situated?" asked Mordaunt, seriously. "Yes." "Then," said the young man, "come and board with me, and it sha'n't cost you a cent. I'll have another bed put into the bedroom, and we'll make ourselves as comfortable as we can."