An over-dressed lady of fifty said to a tall, angular young lady, her daughter:
"Elvira, do you see that very common-looking boy at the next table?"
"He looks low. He is not as well dressed as our servants. It is very strange they should let him eat at an aristocratic hotel like this."
"It looks like it. He maybe the gentleman's servant. I really think it an imposition to bring him here."
"Don't mind it, Tony," he said. "I know those people by sight. They are parvenus. I suppose you don't understand the word. They are vulgar people who have become rich by a lucky speculation. They will change their tune presently. What will you have for breakfast?"
"There's such a lot of things," said Tony, "I don't know what to choose."
"You'll get used to that. I'll order breakfast for both."
The waiter appeared, and Mr. Spencer gave the order.
"Mr. Spencer," he said, "it's against the rules for you to bring your servant to the table with you."
"I have not done so," said Mr. Spencer, promptly. "This young gentleman is my ward."
"Oh, excuse me," said the waiter, confused.
"Has any one prompted you to speak to me about him?"
"Then those ladies owe an apology to my ward," said the young man, loud enough for the ladies to hear.
The shot told. The ladies looked confused and embarrassed, and Tony and his guardian quietly finished their breakfast.
There was another lady who noticed Tony, and this was Mrs. Harvey Middleton. She was to sail for England in the afternoon.
As Tony and Mr. Spencer were going out of the breakfast-room, they met her entering.
She started at the sight of Tony, and scanned his face eagerly.
"Who are you, boy?" she asked, quickly, laying her hand on his arm.
Tony was too surprised to answer, and Mr. Spencer answered for him.
"It is my ward, madame," he answered. "He has been roughing it in the country, which accounts for the state of his wardrobe."
"O, I beg pardon, sir," said Mrs. Middleton. "I thought his face looked familiar."
"You see, Tony, that your appearance attracts attention," said Mr. Spencer, laughing. "Now we'll go out, and I'll get you a fit-out."
They went to a well-known clothier's, and Mr. Spencer purchased two handsome suits for our hero, one of which he put on at once. At another place a plentiful supply of under-clothing was purchased. Next a hat and shoes were procured. Tony's hair was cut, he took a bath, and in a couple of hours he was transformed into a young gentleman of distinguished appearance.