I got up, feeling that I had chilled him in some way, and reproaching myself for it.  When he rejoined me, we walked silently on, till, after many a turning, we found ourselves in a narrow, quiet street, before a small house, with a tiny yard in front.  I do not know how the matter was arranged; he did it all for me.  There was the introducing me to a motherly-looking person, as a friend of his from the country; the going up a narrow staircase to look at a small room of which all that could be said was that it was neat and clean; the bargaining for my board, in which I was obliged to answer “Yes” and “No” as I could best follow his lead; and then Tom left me with a shake of the hand, and the advice that I should lie down and rest after my tedious journey; he would see me again in the evening.

The quiet dinner with my landlady, the afternoon rest, the fresh toilet, the sort of home-feeling that my room already gave me, all did their part towards bringing back my usual composure before Tom came in the evening; and then, sitting by the window in the little parlor, I could talk rationally of my plans for the future.

I had money enough for twelve weeks’ board, even if I reserved ten dollars for other expenses.  Surely, in that time I could find something to do.  And as to what I should do, I had thought that all over before I left home.  I might find some sewing, or tend in a store, or, perhaps,—­did he think I could?—­I might keep school.

Tom would not hear of my sewing.  He knew poor girls that worked their lives out at that.  I might tend in a store, if I pleased, but still he did not believe I would like to be tied to one place for twelve hours in the day.  Why shouldn’t I keep school? he was sure I knew enough, I was so smart, and had read so many books.

I shook my head.  I did not believe the books I had read were the kind that school-mistresses studied.  Still, I could learn, and certainly I might begin by teaching little children.  But where was I to begin?

“If only we knew some gentleman, Janet, some city-man, who knew what to do about such things.”

Suddenly a thought struck me.

“Tom, do you remember those gentlemen who came up to look at the coal mines when they were first opened?  One of them stayed at our house two nights, and saw my books, and talked to me about them.  Mr. Kendall was his name.”

“That’s the very man; and a kind-hearted gentleman he seemed, not stuck up or proud.  I’ll find him out for you, Janet, to-morrow; but there’s no need of your hurrying yourself about going to work.  You must see the city and the sights.”

And Tom grew enthusiastic in describing to me all that was to be seen in this wonderful place.

Tom had altered, had improved in appearance and manners, since he had known something of city-life.  I could not tell wherein the change lay, but I felt it.  He told me of himself,—­of his rising to be head-man, a sort of overseer, in the coal-yard,—­of his good wages,—­of some investments that he had made which had brought him in good returns.