business firm
in the great city.

They left the hotel, Mr. Manning lighting a fresh cigar.

"I won't offer you a cigar, Ben," he said, "for I don't think it well
for boys of your age to smoke."

"I never smoked in my life," said Ben.

"But I presume you know some boys that do."

"Oh, yes, plenty of them."

"It is a bad thing for them, impoverishing the blood, and often
checking the growth. I am glad you have not contracted the habit.
Suppose we walk by your house?"

"All right, sir. You won't find it very large or elegant."

"But is it comfortable?"

"Oh, yes, sir."

"What kind of woman is your aunt? You may think it an odd
question, but I have my reasons for asking."

"She is an excellent woman," said Ben. "She has only one fault."

"What is that?"

"She gets discouraged too easily."

"As now, for instance?"

"Yes, sir; she predicts that we shall all be in the poor-house inside
a month."

"What do you think about it?"

"My motto is, 'Wait and Hope.'"

"A very good one, but I can give you a better."

"What is that, sir?"

"Work and Hope."

"Oh, I mean that, too. There isn't much use in waiting if you don't
work, too."

"I see we agree pretty well on that point."

"That is our house," said Ben, pointing out the cottage where his
aunt lived.

It was small, but everything about it was neat and attractive.

"How many are there in your family?" asked Mr. Manning, again.

"My aunt and my little cousin, Tony."

"How old is he?"

"Seven years old."

"You wonder, perhaps, why I ask so many questions," said Mr.
Manning. "I will tell you. By the death of an intimate friend I
have become guardian to a little girl, about five years old. She
is at present in the city, but I think she will be better off in the
country. Now, do you think your aunt would take charge of
such a child--for a fair price, of course? It might pay her
better than sewing."

"I think she would," said Ben; "but would you be satisfied with our
humble way of living?"

"I don't wish the child to live on rich food. Good bread and butter
and plenty of milk are better, in my opinion, than rich meats."

"She could have as much of those as she wanted."

"And your little cousin would be company for her."

"Yes, sir; he would like it very much. He feels lonely when I am away."

"Then, as to the terms, I think I should be willing to pay seven dollars
a week."

"Seven dollars a week for a little girl's board!"