The tailor put it into his hands.

It ran thus: 

“Mr. Roberts:  You will make a suit for the bearer, from any goods he
may select, and charge to the account of
Helen Hamilton.”

“Mrs. Hamilton did not tell me what was in the note,” said Ben, smiling.  “She is very kind.”

Ben allowed himself to be guided by the tailor, and the result was a handsome suit, which was sent home in due time, and immediately attracted the attention of Conrad.  Ben had privately thanked his patroness, but had felt under no obligation to tell Conrad.

“Seems to me you are getting extravagant!” said Conrad enviously.

“I don’t know but I am,” answered Ben good-naturedly.

“How much did you pay for it?”

“The price was thirty-five dollars.”

“That’s too much for a boy in your circumstances to pay.”

“I think so myself, but I shall make it last a long time.”

“I mean to make Aunt Hamilton buy me a new suit,” grumbled Conrad.

“I have no objection, I am sure,” said Ben.

“I didn’t ask your permission,” said Conrad rudely.

“I wonder what he would say if he knew that Mrs. Hamilton paid for my suit?” Ben said to himself.  He wisely decided to keep the matter secret, as he knew that Conrad would be provoked to hear of this new proof of his relative’s partiality for the boy whom he regarded as a rival.

Conrad lost no time in preferring his request to Mrs. Hamilton for a new suit.

“I bought you a suit two months since,” said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.  “Why do you come to me for another so soon?”

“Ben has a new suit,” answered Conrad, a little confused.

“I don’t know that that has anything to do with you.  However, I will ask Ben when he had his last new suit.”

Ben, who was present, replied: 

“It was last November.”

“Nearly a year since.  I will take care that you are supplied with new suits as often as Ben.”

Conrad retired from the presence of his relative much disgusted.  He did not know, but suspected that Ben was indebted to Mrs. Hamilton for his new suit, and although this did not interfere with a liberal provision for him, he felt unwilling that anyone beside himself should bask in the favor of his rich relative.  He made a discovery that troubled him about this time.

“Let me see your watch, Ben,” he said one day.

Ben took out the watch and placed it in his hand.

“It’s just like mine,” said Conrad, after a critical examination.

“Is it?”

“Yes; don’t you see?  Where did you get it?”

“It was a gift,” answered Ben.

“From my aunt?”

“It was given me by Mrs. Hamilton.”

“She seems to be very kind to you,” sneered Conrad, with a scowl.

“She is indeed!” answered Ben earnestly.

“You’ve played your cards well,” said Conrad coarsely.