"Don't you think your father would give me a home in his family and let me attend school in the city?"
"Well, Ben Baker, you have got cheek, I declare! If that is what you are counting on, you may as well give it up."
"It's as well to know the worst," said Ben, tranquilly.
"I shall have to be going along," said Clarence, coldly.
He told his father at dinner about his meeting with Ben.
"I'll tell you what, father," he said. "I couldn't account at first for Ben's seeming so cool and independent. I think I understand it now."
"Well, suppose you explain, then."
"I think he's robbed Major Grafton of a sum of money and taken French leave. He said he was not 'bounced' and that the major did not want him to leave."
"I hope you are wrong, my son. I haven't the highest opinion of your cousin, but I earnestly hope he is honest. To have him guilty of such a crime would be a disgrace to our family. Always be honest, Clarence! Depend upon it, honesty is the best policy, and a boy or man makes a great mistake who appropriates what is not his own."
"Of course, pa, I know all that. Do you think I would steal? As to Ben Baker, that's a different matter. He's always been poor, and I suppose the temptation was too strong for him."