He was mechanically turning over the leaves of his diary, meanwhile, and

now his eye fell upon the first record made after he was burnt out:

I myself did not doubt my stamina before, nobody could doubt it now, if

they could see how I am housed, and realise that I feel absolutely no

disgust with these quarters, but am as serenely content with them as any

dog would be in a similar kennel. Terms, twenty-five dollars a week.

I said I would start at the bottom. I have kept my word."

A shudder went quaking through him, and he exclaimed:

"What have I been thinking of! This the bottom! Mooning along a whole

week, and these terrific expenses climbing and climbing all the time!

I must end this folly straightway."

He settled up at once and went forth to find less sumptuous lodgings. He

had to wander far and seek with diligence, but he succeeded. They made

him pay in advance--four dollars and a half; this secured both bed and

food for a week. The good-natured, hardworked landlady took him up three

flights of narrow, uncarpeted stairs and delivered him into his room.

There were two double-bedsteads in it, and one single one. He would be

allowed to sleep alone in one of the double beds until some new boarder

should come, but he wouldn't be charged extra.

So he would presently be required to sleep with some stranger!

106

The American Claimant