“I will remember.”

“Now go down-stairs and come back with better looking shoes.”

Ben went below and had his shoes blacked. When the operation was ended he went up-stairs.

He found Mrs. Harcourt dressed for the street.

“Ring the bell, Edwin,” she said, “or rather go down yourself and order a cab.”

Ben started a little at the unfamiliar name. Then he smiled as he reflected that he was playing a part.

“All right, mother,” he said.

“Good, Edwin. I see you are working into your part.”

In five minutes they were rattling up Fifth Avenue in a cab. The driver, who had his instructions, turned into East Fifty-seventh Street, and paused in front of a handsome brown stone house.

“Is Mr. Anderson in?” asked the lady.