So saying, the young "dude" sauntered out of the office and left the store, several of the clerks who wished to stand well with their employer bowing deferentially to him. Plantagenet barely acknowledged their bows by a supercilious nod. He did not look upon them as his social equals. "I am inclined to agree with my son," said the merchant, after Plantagenet had left the office. "I think the country is the best place for you." "Then, Uncle Nicholas, you won't give me a place in your store?" asked Ben, his face showing his disappointment. "I will do nothing to encourage you in a step which I consider so ill-advised as coming to the city." "Then I must bid you good-morning," said Ben, soberly. "Stay!" said his uncle. "I am willing to make up to you the expense of your trip to the city, on condition that you go back to-day." He put his hand into his pocket as he spoke. "Thank you, Uncle Nicholas," said Ben. "I thank you for your offer, but I won't accept it; I shall not go back to Sunderland." "You won't go back!" gasped the merchant. "What will you do, then?" "Look elsewhere for a place," said Ben. "You are a foolish, headstrong boy. I wash my hands of you. You need not expect any help from me. You must make your own way." "I mean to," answered Ben, quietly, as he bowed and walked out of the office. "This is very annoying," said Mr. Walton to himself. "He is an obstinate boy. However, his eyes will soon be opened to his folly, and he will have to go back, after all. Perhaps it is as well for him to try, and fail. He will be more manageable afterward." CHAPTER VI. BEN GETS INTO TROUBLE. Ben went out of his uncle's store in a serious frame of mind. He knew that his uncle was opposed to his leaving his country home and coming to New York, but he had hoped that he would nevertheless be willing to extend to him a helping hand, especially as it would cost him so little. He found himself now in a critical position. He had in his pocket a dollar and twenty-seven cents, and this constituted his entire worldly capital. It was enough to carry him back to Sunderland, but, if he had been willing to do that, it would have been for his interest to accept his uncle's offer to refund to him what his trip would cost. But Ben was not easily discouraged. His motto was: "If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again!" "I won't go back to Sunderland unless I am obliged to," he said to himself. "There are other stores besides my uncle's in this large city, and more ways of making a living than one. I won't give up till I have tried my best." So he walked along Broadway in a leisurely way, keeping his eyes wide open, and interested, in spite of his critical circumstances, in the crowds and bustle of that brilliant thoroughfare. Presently he came to a shop window on which was posted the notice-- "BOY WANTED."