"You will be well provided for, Clarence. You won't have occasion for envying your cousin, even if he should be adopted by Major Grafton."
We have now to change the scene to the little town of Sunderland, from which our hero had come to New York to seek the good fortune which he so strangely found.
We direct our steps to a plain cottage, containing but four rooms and an attic, which stood a little out of the centre of the village. Small and plain as it was, it had an air of refinement and good taste, with its climbing honeysuckles, tiny bed of flowers, its trimly-kept lawn and neat surroundings, which are vainly sought about many more pretentious residences.
Here dwelt Mrs. Baker and Ben's little sister, Alice, but ten years old. She bore a strong family resemblance to Ben, and was equally good-looking.
"It seems an age since Ben left home," said Mrs. Baker, with a little sigh.
"I miss him dreadfully, mother," said Alice. "Why need he go away?"
"I can't blame him, Alice, though I am very sorry to have him go," said Mrs. Baker. "He is ambitious——"
"What does that mean?" asked Alice, puzzled.
"It means that he is anxious to get on in the world—to make money. It is a natural feeling for a boy."