"I'm sure it couldn't have been a very bad talk if you had a hand in
it," said Richard gallantly.
They were soon at the table, and having by a lucky chance (or was it
the girl's natural tact?) struck the right vein, the conversation
became quite animated, and soon all were on very good terms.
"I like you verra mouch," said Mrs. Massanet, when Richard had finished,
"and I shall be pleased to have you as a boarder--eef you like ze
_diner_."
"Thank you, Mrs. Massanet. I shall be thankful to have you take me.
I know it will feel quite like a home."
"Ve make zat so. Ve keep no _hotel garni_ even--only for one."
"Thank you," returned Richard. He did not understand the French, which
means a lodging-house. "Can I come to-night?"
"Oh, yees."
So it was arranged that he should become a boarder at the Massanets',
and having this settled took quite a load from his mind. Now if he
could only do his work well for Williams & Mann, he would be all right,
and have every chance of eventually attaining the object of his
metropolitan venture.
Of one thing he was sure--Frank Massanet's friendship and help, and
in his present place he knew these would count for a good deal.
Little did he dream that the position kind-hearted Timothy Joyce had
procured for him would lead him to the hardest trials of his youthful
life, and place him in the bitterest situation he had ever yet
experienced.
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