odel boy has been."

"She'll give him his walking ticket, I hope."

"She ought to; but she seems so infatuated with him that there is no
telling."

"When shall you tell her, mother?"

"I will wait a day or two. I want to manage matters so as not to
arouse any suspicion."

CHAPTER XXIV
BEN ON TRIAL

"Excuse my intrusion, Cousin Hamilton; I see you are engaged."

The speaker was Mrs. Hill, and the person addressed was her wealthy
cousin. It was two days after the event recorded in the last chapter.

"I am only writing a note, about which there is no haste. Did you
wish to speak to me?"

Mrs. Hamilton leaned back in her chair, and waited to hear what Mrs.
Hill had to say. There was very little similarity between the two
ladies. One was stout, with a pleasant, benevolent face, to whom not
only children, but older people, were irresistibly attracted. The
other was thin, with cold, gray eyes, a pursed-up mouth, thin lips,
who had never succeeded in winning the affection of anyone. True, she
had married, but her husband was attracted by a small sum of money
which she possessed, and which had been reported to him as much larger
than it really was.

When asked if she wished to speak, Mrs. Hill coughed.

"There's a matter I think I ought to speak of," she said, "but it is
painful for me to do so."

"Why is it painful?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, eyeing her steadily.

"Because my motives may be misconstrued. Then, I fear it will give
you pain."

"Pain is sometimes salutary. Has Conrad displeased you?"

"No, indeed!" answered Mrs. Hill, half indignantly. "My boy is a
great comfort to me."

"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.

For her own part, Mrs. Hamilton thought her cousin's son one of the
least attractive young people she had ever met, and save for a feeling
of pity, and the slight claims of relationship, would not have been
willing to keep him in the house.

"I don't see why you should have judged so ill of my poor Conrad,"
complained Mrs. Hill.

"I am glad you are so well pleased with him. Let me know what you
have to communicate."

"It is something about the new boy--Benjamin."

Mrs. Hamilton lifted her eyebrows slightly.

"Speak without hesitation," she said.

"You will be sure not to misjudge me?"

"Why should I?"

"You might think I was jealous on account of my own boy."

"There is no occasion for you to be jealous."

"No, of course not. I am sure Conrad an