n help it," said Mrs. Hill with an emphatic
nod. "I will manage to make trouble between them. You will always be
my first interest, my dear boy."

She made a motion to kiss her dear boy, but Conrad, who was by no
means of an affectionate disposition, moved his head suddenly, with an
impatient exclamation, "Oh, bother!"

A pained look came over the mother's face, for she loved her son,
unattractive and disagreeable as he was, with a love the greater
because she loved no one else in the world. Mother and son were
selfish alike, but the son the more so, for he had not a spark of love
for any human being.

"There's the bell!" said Mrs. Hill suddenly. "I do believe Cousin
Hamilton has come. Now we shall find out whether this boy's story is
true."

"Let's go downstairs, ma! I hope it's all a mistake and she'll send
me for a policeman."

"I am afraid the boy's story is correct. But his day will be short."

When they reached the hall, Mrs. Hamilton had already been admitted to
the house.

"There's a boy in the drawing room, Mrs. Hamilton," said Mrs. Hill,
"who says he is to stay here--that you sent for him."

"Has he come already?" returned Mrs. Hamilton. "I am glad of it."

"Then you did send for him?"

"Of course. Didn't I mention it to you? I hardly expected he would
come so soon."

She opened the door of the drawing room, and approached Ben, with
extended hand and a pleasant smile.

"Welcome to New York, Ben," she said. "I hope I haven't kept you
waiting long?"

"Not very long," answered Ben, shaking her hand.

"This is my cousin Mrs. Hill, who relieves me of part of my
housekeeping care," continued Mrs. Hamilton, "and this is her son,
Conrad. Conrad, this is a companion for you, Benjamin Barclay, who
will be a new member of our small family."

"I hope you are well, Conrad," said Ben, with a smile, to the boy who
but a short time before was going for a policeman to put him under
arrest.

"I'm all right," said Conrad ungraciously.

"Really, Cousin Hamilton, this is a surprise" said Mrs. Hill. "You
are quite kind to provide Conrad with a companion, but I don't think
he felt the need of any, except his mother--and you."

Mrs. Hamilton laughed. She saw that neither Mrs. Hill nor Conrad was
glad to see Ben, and this was only what she expected, and, indeed,
this was the chief reason why she had omitted to mention Ben's
expected arrival.

"You give me too much credit," she said, "if you thi