et her mind at rest," he
decided.

He wrote accordingly, telling his mother not to feel anxious, for he
had wealthy friends, and he felt sure, with their help, of paying off
the mortgage. "But don't tell anybody this," he continued, "for I
want to give the squire and Mr. Kirk a disagreeable surprise. I shall
come to Pentonville two days before, and may stay a week."

He had already spoken to Mrs. Hamilton about having this week as a
vacation.

CHAPTER XXXVII
BEN'S VISIT TO PENTONVILLE

On the eighteenth of December Ben arrived in Pentonville. It was his
first visit since he went up to New York for good. He reached home
without observation, and found his mother overjoyed to see him.

"It has seemed a long, long time that you have been away, Ben," she
said.

"Yes, mother; but I did a good thing in going to New York."

"You are looking well, Ben, and you have grown."

"Yes, mother; and best of all, I have prospered. Squire Davenport
can't have the house!"

"You don't mean to say, Ben, that you have the money to pay it off?"
asked his mother, with eager hope.

"Yes, mother; and, better still, the money is my own."

"This can't be true, Ben!" she said incredulously.

"Yes, but it is, though! You are to ask me no questions until after
the twentieth. Then I will tell you all."

"I am afraid I shall have to send you to the store, for I am out of
groceries."

A list was given, and Ben started for the store.

Mr. Kirk looked up in surprise as he entered.

"You're the Barclay boy, ain't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"I thought you were in New York."

"I was, but I have just got home."

"Couldn't make it, go, hey?"

Ben smiled, but did not answer.

"I may give you something to do," said Kirk, in a patronizing tone.
"You've been employed in this store, I believe."

"Yes, I was here some months."

"I'll give you two dollars a week."

"Thank you," said Ben meekly, "but I shall have to take a little time
to decide--say the rest of the week."

"I suppose you want to help your mother move?"

"She couldn't move alone."

"Very well; you can begin next Monday."

When Ben was going home, he met his old enemy, Tom Davenport. Tom's
eyes lighted up when he saw Ben, and he crossed the street to speak to
him. It may be mentioned that, though Ben had a new and stylish suit
of clothes, he came home in the old suit he had worn away, and his
appearance, therefore, by no means betokened prosperity.

"S