"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,