Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks eBook

This over, the two boys went out and took stations near each other.  Dick had more of a business turn than Henry, and less shrinking from publicity, so that his earnings were greater.  But he had undertaken to pay the entire expenses of the room, and needed to earn more.  Sometimes, when two customers presented themselves at the same time, he was able to direct one to his friend.  So at the end of the week both boys found themselves with surplus earnings.  Dick had the satisfaction of adding two dollars and a half to his deposits in the Savings Bank, and Fosdick commenced an account by depositing seventy-five cents.

On Sunday morning Dick bethought himself of his promise to Mr. Greyson to come to the church on Fifth Avenue.  To tell the truth, Dick recalled it with some regret.  He had never been inside a church since he could remember, and he was not much attracted by the invitation he had received.  But Henry, finding him wavering, urged him to go, and offered to go with him.  Dick gladly accepted the offer, feeling that he required someone to lend him countenance under such unusual circumstances.

Dick dressed himself with scrupulous care, giving his shoes a “shine” so brilliant that it did him great credit in a professional point of view, and endeavored to clean his hands thoroughly; but, in spite of all he could do, they were not so white as if his business had been of a different character.

Having fully completed his preparations, he descended into the street, and, with Henry by his side, crossed over to Broadway.

The boys pursued their way up Broadway, which on Sunday presents a striking contrast in its quietness to the noise and confusion of ordinary week-days, as far as Union Square, then turned down Fourteenth Street, which brought them to Fifth Avenue.

“Suppose we dine at Delmonico’s,” said Fosdick, looking towards that famous restaurant.

“I’d have to sell some of my Erie shares,” said Dick.

A short walk now brought them to the church of which mention has already been made.  They stood outside, a little abashed, watching the fashionably attired people who were entering, and were feeling a little undecided as to whether they had better enter also, when Dick felt a light touch upon his shoulder.

Turning round, he met the smiling glance of Mr. Greyson.

“So, my young friend, you have kept your promise,” he said.  “And whom have you brought with you?”

“A friend of mine,” said Dick.  “His name is Henry Fosdick.”

“I am glad you have brought him.  Now follow me, and I will give you seats.”

CHAPTER XVII

DICK’S FIRST APPEARANCE IN SOCIETY

It was the hour for morning service.  The boys followed Mr. Greyson into the handsome church, and were assigned seats in his own pew.

There were two persons already seated in it,—­a good-looking lady of middle age, and a pretty little girl of nine.  They were Mrs. Greyson and her only daughter Ida.  They looked pleasantly at the boys as they entered, smiling a welcome to them.