Ben, who examined her face eagerly, recognized her at once. Yes, it was his sister Mary that stood before him. He would have known her anywhere. But there was a special mark by which he remembered her. There was a dent in her cheek just below the temple, the existence of which he could account for. In a fit of boyish passion, occasioned by her teasing him, he had flung a stick of wood at her head, and this had led to the mark. "Where did you come from, Charles?" she said, giving her hand cordially to her young cousin. "From Boston, Cousin Mary." "Have you just arrived, and where is your father? You did not come on alone, did you?" "No, father is with me, or rather he came on with me, but he had some errands down town, and stopped to attend to them. He will be here soon." "How did you find the way alone?" "I was not alone. There is my guide. By the way, I told him to stay, and you would give him some breakfast." "Certainly, he can go down in the basement, and the servants will give him something." Mrs. Abercrombie looked at Ben as she spoke; but on her part there was no sign of recognition. This was not strange. A boy changes greatly between ten and sixteen years of age, and when to this natural change is added the great change in Ben's dress, it will not be wondered at that his sister saw in him only an ordinary street boy. Ben was relieved to find that he was not known. He had felt afraid that something in his looks might remind his sister of her lost brother; but the indifferent look which she turned upon him proved that he had no ground for this fear. "You have not breakfasted, I suppose, Charles." said his cousin. "You wouldn't think so, if you knew what an appetite I have," he answered, laughing. "We will do our best to spoil it," said Mrs. Abercrombie. She rang the bell, and ordered breakfast to be served. "We are a little late this morning," she said. "Mr. Abercrombie is in Philadelphia on business; so you won't see him till to-morrow." When the servant appeared, Mrs. Abercrombie directed her to take Ben downstairs, and give him something to eat. "Don't go away till I see you, Ben," said Charles, lingering a little. "All right," said Ben. He followed the servant down the stairs leading to the basement. On the way, he had a glimpse through the half-open door of the breakfast-table, at which his sister and his cousin were shortly to sit down. "Some time, perhaps, I shall be invited in there," he said to himself.