came 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."

"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 in