“You can’t earn more than forty cents a day at anything else.”

“You are mistaken.  I am going to New York to-morrow to take a place, where I get board and considerable more money besides.”

“Is that true?” asked Tom, looking as if he had lost his best friend.

“Quite so.  The party inclosed ten dollars to pay my expenses up to the city.”

“He must be a fool.”

“Thank you.  It happens to be a lady.”

“What are you to do?”

“I don’t know yet.  I am sure I shall be well paid.  I must ask you to excuse me now, as I am going to call on Rose Gardiner to bid her good-by.”

“I dare say she would excuse you,” said Tom, with a sneer.

“Perhaps so; but I wouldn’t like to go without saying good-by.”

“At any rate, he will be out of my way,” thought Tom, “and I can monopolize Rose.  I’m glad he’s going.”

He bade Ben an unusually civil good-night at this thought occurred to him.

CHAPTER XVIII FAREWELL TO PENTONVILLE

“I have come to say good-by, Rose,” said Ben, as the young lady made her appearance.

“Good-by!” repeated Rose, in surprise.  “Why, where are you going?”

“To New York.”

“But you are coming back again?”

“I hope so, but only for a visit now and then.  I am offered a position in the city.”

“Isn’t that rather sudden?” said Rose, after a pause.

Ben explained how he came to be offered employment.

“I am to receive higher pay than I did here, and a home besides,” he added, in a tone of satisfaction.  “Don’t you think I am lucky?”

“Yes, Ben, and I rejoice in your good fortune; but I shall miss you so much,” said Rose frankly.

“I am glad of that,” returned Ben.  “I hoped you would miss me a little.  You’ll go and see mother now and then, won’t you?  She will feel very lonely.”

“You may be sure I will.  It is a pity you have to go away.  A great many will be sorry.”

“I know someone who won’t.”

“Who is that?”

“Tom Davenport.”

Rose smiled.  She had a little idea why Tom would not regret Ben’s absence.

“Tom could be spared, as well as not,” she said.

“He is a strong admirer of yours, I believe,” said Ben mischievously.

“I don’t admire him,” retorted Rose, with a little toss of her head.

Ben heard this with satisfaction, for though he was too young to be a lover, he did have a strong feeling of attraction toward Rose, and would have been sorry to have Tom step into his place.

As Ben was preparing to go, Rose said, “Wait a minute, Ben.”

She left the room and went upstairs, but returned almost immediately, with a small knit purse.

“Won’t you accept this, Ben?” she said.  “I just finished it yesterday.  It will remind you of me when you are away.”