“You needn’t have gone out of the house for a clerk, Cousin Hamilton.  I am sure Conrad would have been glad of the work.”

“It will be better for Conrad to learn business in a larger establishment,” said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.

This was a new way of looking at it, and helped to reconcile Mrs. Hill to an arrangement which at first had disappointed her.

“Have you any engagements this afternoon, Conrad?” asked Mrs. Hamilton.  “Ben will have nothing to do, and you could show him the city.”

“I’ve got an engagement with a fellow,” said Conrad hastily.

“I can find my way about alone, thank you,” said Ben.  “I won’t trouble Conrad.”

“Very well.  This evening, however, Ben, I think you may enjoy going to the theater.  Conrad can accompany you, unless he has another engagement.”

“I’ll go with him,” said Conrad, more graciously, for he was fond of amusements.

“Then we will all meet at dinner, and you two young gentlemen can leave in good time for the theater.”

CHAPTER XXI AT THE THEATER

After dinner, Ben and Conrad started to walk to the theater.  The distance was about a mile, but in the city there is so much always to be seen that one does not think of distance.

Conrad, who was very curious to ascertain Ben’s status in the household, lost no time in making inquiries.

“What does my aunt find for you to do?” he asked.

It may be remarked, by the way, that no such relationship ever existed between them, but Mrs. Hill and her son thought politic to make the relationship seem as close as possible, as it would, perhaps, increase their apparent claim upon their rich relative.

Ben answered the question.

“You’ll have a stupid time,” said Conrad.  “All the same, she ought to have given the place to me.  How much does she pay you?”

Ben hesitated, for he knew that his answer would make his companion discontented.

“I am not sure whether I am at liberty to tell,” he answered, with hesitation.

“There isn’t any secret about it, is there?” said Conrad sharply.

No, I suppose not.  I am to receive ten dollars a week.”

“Ten dollars a week!” ejaculated Conrad, stopping short in the street.

“Yes.”

“And I get but four!  That’s a shame!”

“I shall really have no more than you, Conrad.  I have a mother to provide for, and I shall send home six dollars a week regularly.”

“That doesn’t make any difference!” exclaimed Conrad, in excitement.  “It’s awfully mean of aunt to treat you so much better than she does me.”

“You mustn’t say that to me,” said Ben.  “She has been kind to us both, and I don’t like to hear anything said against her.”

“You’re not going to tell her?” said Conrad suspiciously.

“Certainly not,” said Ben indignantly.  “What do you take me for?”