human
There's a boy outside wishes to see you, Mr. Preston,
gpt
From whom does he come?
human
On business of his own, he says. Here is his card.
gpt
Oh, to be sure. Paul Hoffman! repeated Mr. Preston, glancing at the card.
human
Tell him to come in.
gpt
I wonder what business he can have with Mr. Preston,
human
You can go in,
gpt
Well, my young friend, said Mr. Preston cordially,
human
Pretty well in business, sir, answered Paul.
gpt
But we got burned out yesterday.
human
How burned out?
gpt
I mean the tenement house in which we lodged was burned down.
human
No one injured, I hope.
gpt
No, sir; but we lost what little we had there.
human
Were you at home at the time?
gpt
No, sir; my mother and little brother and myself were at Barnum's Museum. But for that we might have saved some of our clothing.
human
Well, have you got a new place?
gpt
No, sir; we are stopping at the rooms of some friends. I am looking out for some furnished rooms, as I don't want to buy any new furniture. As all our clothes are burned, I may have to draw fifty dollars of the money in your hands.
human
How much rent do you expect to pay?
gpt
I suppose we must pay as much as twenty dollars a month for comfortable furnished rooms.
human
Can you afford that?
gpt
My business brings me in as much as fifty dollars a month.
human
You haven't engaged rooms yet?
gpt
No, sir; my mother and I went out to look at some this morning. We only saw one place that suited us. That we could have got for twenty-two dollars and a half rent, but when they heard of my little brother they wouldn't take us.
human
I see. Some persons object to young children. I am glad you have not engaged a place yet.
gpt
A gentleman of my acquaintance, proceeded the merchant,
human
Very much, answered Paul promptly. He saw at a glance that it would be a great thing to save their rent, amounting, at the sum they expected to pay, to more than two hundred and fifty dollars a year.
gpt
Where is the house?
human
It is in Madison avenue, between Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth streets.