“But Conrad will only receive four dollars a week.  Won’t he be angry?”

“Conrad is not called upon to support his mother, as I understand you are.”

“You are very kind to think of that, Mrs. Hamilton.”

“I want to be kind to you, Ben,” said his patroness with a pleasant smile.

“When shall I commence my duties?”

“Now.  You will copy this statement into the ledger you see here.  Before doing so, will you look over and verify the figures?”

Ben was soon hard at work.  He was interested in his work, and the time slipped fast.  After an hour and a half had passed, Mrs. Hamilton said: 

“It is about time for lunch, and I think there will be no more to do to-day.  Are you familiar with New York?”

“No, I have spent very little time in the city.”

“You will, no doubt, like to look about.  We have dinner at six sharp.  You will be on tine?”

“I will be sure to be here.”

“That reminds me—­have you a watch?”

Ben shook his head.

“I thought it might be so.  I have a good silver watch, which I have no occasion for.”

Mrs. Hamilton left the room, and quickly returned with a neat silver hunting-case watch, with a guilt chain.

“This is yours, Ben,” she said, “if you like it.”

“Do you give it to me?” asked Ben joyously.  He had only expected that it would be loaned to him.

“Yes, I give it to you, and I hope you will find it useful.”

“How can I thank you, Mrs. Hamilton, for your kindness?”

“You are more grateful than Conrad.  I gave him one just like it, and he was evidently dissatisfied became it was not gold.  When you are older the gold watch may come.”

“I am very well pleased with the silver watch, for I have long wanted one, but did not see any way of obtaining it.”

“You are wise in having moderate desires, Ben.  But there goes the lunch bell.  You may want to wash your hands.  When you have done so come down to the dining room, in the rear of the sitting room.”

Mrs. Hill and Conrad were already seated at the table when Ben descended.

“Take a seat opposite Conrad, Ben,” said Mrs. Hamilton, who was sitting at one end of the table.

The lunch was plain but substantial, and Ben, who had taken an early breakfast, enjoyed it.

“I suppose we shall not have Conrad at lunch to-morrow?” said Mrs. Hamilton.  “He will be at the store.”

Conrad made a grimace.  He world have enjoyed his freedom better.

“I won’t have much of my four dollars left if I have to pay for lunch,” he said in a surly tone.

“You shall have a reasonable allowance for that purpose.”

“I suppose Mr. Barclay will lunch at home,” said Mrs. Hill.

“Certainly, since his work will be here.  He is to be my home clerk, and will keep my accounts.”