Our hero, observing that his glance rested on his valise, politely removed it, saying: 

“Would you like to sit down here, sir?”

“Yes, thank you,” answered the young man, and sank into the seat beside Phil.

“Sorry to inconvenience you,” he said, with a glance at the bag.

“Oh, not at all,” returned Phil.  “I only put the valise on the seat till it was wanted by some passenger.”

“You are more considerate than some passengers,” observed the young man.  “In the next car is a woman, an elderly party, who is taking up three extra seats to accommodate her bags and boxes.”

“That seems rather selfish,” remarked Phil.

“Selfish!  I should say so.  I paused a minute at her seat as I passed along, and she was terribly afraid I wanted to sit down.  She didn’t offer to move anything, though, as you have.  I stopped long enough to make her feel uncomfortable, and then passed on.  I don’t think I have fared any the worse for doing so.  I would rather sit beside you than her.”

“Am I to consider that a compliment?” asked Phil, smiling.

“Well, yes, if you choose.  Not that it is saying much to call you more agreeable company than the old party alluded to.  Are you going to New York?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Live there?”

“I expect to live there.”

“Brought up in the country, perhaps?”

“Yes, in Planktown.”

“Oh, Planktown!  I’ve heard it’s a nice place, but never visited it.  Got any folks?”

Phil hesitated.  In the light of the revelation that had been made to him by Mrs. Brent, he did not know how to answer.  However, there was no call to answer definitely.

“Not many,” he said.

“Goin’ to school in New York?”

“No.”

“To college, perhaps.  I’ve got a cousin in Columbia College.”

“I wish I knew enough to go to college,” said Phil; “but I only know a little Latin, and no Greek at all.”

“Well, I never cared much about Latin or Greek, myself.  I presume you are thinking about a business position?”

“Yes, I shall try to get a place.”

“You may find a little time necessary to find one.  However, you are, no doubt, able to pay your board for awhile.”

“For a short time,” said Phil.

“Well, I may be able to help you to a place.  I know a good many prominent business men.”

“I should be grateful to you for any help of that kind,” said Phil, deciding that he was in luck to meet with such a friend.

“Don’t mention it.  I have had to struggle myself—­in earlier days—­though at present I am well fixed.  What is your name?”

“Philip Brent.”

“Good!  My name is Lionel Lake.  Sorry I haven’t got any cards.  Perhaps I may have one in my pocket-book.  Let me see!”

Mr. Lake opened his porte-monnaie and uttered a exclamation of surprise.