"Yes; we shall be glad to have you dine with us." "I am sorry I cannot come. I am to sail for Europe this afternoon." "You sail for Europe!" repeated his uncle, in amazement. "Yes, uncle. I knew nothing of it till this morning." "It is indeed surprising. To what part do you go?" "I believe we sail for Liverpool in the Parthia. More than that I know nothing." "You are certainly strangely fortunate," said the merchant, musingly. "Does this Major Grafton appear to be wealthy?" "I judge that he is." "Does he pay you well?" "He gives me fifty dollars per month." "And what do you do?" "I am his private secretary, but thus far I have not been called upon to do much. I suppose I shall have more to do when I get to Europe." "He seems to be eccentric as well as rich. Perhaps he will want to adopt you. I advise you to try to please him." "I shall certainly do that, though I don't think he will adopt me." "Clarence will be sorry not to have seen you. He has taken a trip to Long Branch this morning with Percy Van Dyke." "I saw Percy last evening." "This country nephew of mine gets into fashionable society remarkably quick," thought the merchant. "There must be something in the boy, or he would not make his way so readily." "We are all going to Long Branch next week," said Mr. Walton, aloud. "We are to stay at the West End. If you had remained here you could have tried to persuade Major Grafton to spend part of the season at the Branch." "I shall be satisfied with Europe," said Ben, smiling. "You have reason to be satisfied. Clarence will envy you when he hears that you are going." "It didn't look as if he were likely to envy me for anything when I met him here the other day," thought Ben. "Please remember me to my cousin," said Ben, and shaking his uncle's extended hand he left the store. He was passing through the store when he felt a touch on his shoulder. Turning, he recognized the tall lady he had met just after his last visit. "Are you not the boy who told me I had a ticket on my shawl?" she inquired. "Yes, madam," replied Ben, smiling. "I recognize your face, but otherwise you look very different." "You mean I am better dressed." "Yes; I thought you a country boy when I met you." "So I am, but I am trying to be mistaken for a city boy." "I am relieved to meet you, for some one told me you had got into some trouble with the unmannerly boys who were following me." "I am much obliged to you for your solicitude in my behalf," said Ben, not caring to acknowledge the fact of the arrest. "I had hoped to be of service to you, but I see you don't appear to need it. I am here buying a suit of clothes for a poor boy in whom I am interested. Let me give you my card, and if you ever need a friend, come and see me." The card bore the name of "Jane Wilmot, 300 Madison avenue." Ben thanked Miss Wilmot and left his uncle's store. CHAPTER XIV. WHAT BEN'S FRIENDS THOUGHT.