any real benefit. I could, as you say, have transacted the business through
the mail, but I confess, Mark, I have lately had some misgivings and doubts
whether your commercial fabric here in Boston was not too big and broad for
the foundation; and I thought I would come, see, and judge for myself."

"But I only asked for the loan of a few thousands," said Mark, meekly. "The
fact is, Arthur, that, owing to some bad luck and disappointments in money
matters, I am, just now, a little embarrassed about meeting some of my
engagements; and I trust you will not refuse to give me a lift. What say
you, Arthur?"

"I don't say, but will see and decide," replied the other. "But, Mark," he
added, after a pause, "Mark, what will this useless parade here to-night
cost you?"

"O, a mere trifle,--a few hundreds, perhaps."

"And you think hundreds well spent, when you are wanting thousands to pay
your debts, do you?"

"O, you know, Arthur, a man, to keep up his credit, must _display_ a little
once in a while."

"No, I did not know that, Mark. I did not know that the throwing away of
hundreds would help a man's credit in thousands, especially with those
whose opinion would be of any use to him. But go," added the speaker,
rising, "go and see to your company: I can take care of myself."

The brothers, rising from an interview in which they had felt, perhaps,
nearly an equal degree of secret embarrassment,--the one believing that his