"I agree with you. We may as well put it on a business basis."

Papers were drawn up, and Joe found himself proprietor of the
restaurant. He lost no opportunity of mastering the details of the
business. He learned where his predecessor obtained his supplies,
what prices he paid, about how much he required for a day's
consumption, and what was his scale of prices.

"Do you live here, Mr. Brock?" asked Joe.

"Yes; I have a bed, which I lay in a corner of the restaurant. Thus
I avoid the expense of a room outside, and am on hand early for
business."

"I'll do the same," said Joe promptly.

"In that way you will have no personal expenses, except clothing and
washing," said Brock.

"I shall be glad to have no bills to pay for board," said Joe.
"That's rather a steep item here."

"So it is."

"I don't see but I can save up pretty much all I make," said Joe.

"Certainly you can."

In two days Joe, who was naturally quick and whose natural shrewdness