d he at any time appear anxious about his mother, that I also will
do my best to take care of her."

Mrs Hadden had indeed reason to say, "Truly God careth for the
fatherless and widows who put their trust in Him."

Ben's outfitting operations now went on briskly. Some kind ladies sent
a piece of strong calico to make him some shirts, and from morning to
night Mrs Hadden's busy fingers were plying her needle till they were
finished. Other friends supplied his different wants, and he was soon
quite ready to accompany Lieutenant Charlton. The day to leave home
came. The worst part of the business was parting from his mother; yet,
great as was the pain, it was not so great as might have been expected.
People when conscious of doing right are saved much grief and suffering;
especially, if they trust in God, they know that He can and will deliver
them out of all their troubles.

"I shall come back, mother, to you; I know I shall. God will take care
of me; I will try and do right, and serve Him faithfully; and perhaps,
mother, I may bring back Ned with me," said Ben to his mother, who had
taken up her abode with Mrs Charlton. These were his last words to her
as he again and again embraced her, and then, tearing himself away, he
ran after the lieutenant, who was walking rapidly down the street
towards the inn from which the coach started that was to convey them to
Portsmouth.

Ben felt as if he had reached a new world even as he travelled along the
road, much more so when he entered London itself, where Mr Charlton
went to the house of a relation. Ben was shown into the kitchen, and
handed over to the care of the page. He found that, at the very outset
of his career, he was to meet with temptation to do wrong. After the
late dinner, the page came down with two rich-looking dishes untouched,
and took them into a little room, where he had invited Ben to meet him.

"Be quick, let us eat them up," he said, "all but a small part of each;
the housekeeper will never find it out, and I can tell cook how much I
heard people praising them."

"No; unless the housekeeper or cook gives it to us, I will touch
nothing," answered Ben stoutly.

"Nonsense! wherever did you learn such stuff?" exclaimed the page in
surprise. "Why, we think nothing of that sort of thing; what harm can
come of it?"

"I don't see that that has anything to do with the matter," said Ben.
"I've been taught always to do right, whatever comes of it; an