Sylvanus turned, and at the sight of Ben in his elegant new suit he opened wide his astonished eyes.
“Is it you, Ben?” he exclaimed.
“No doubt of it, Mr. Snodgrass.”
“When did you obtain that elegant suit? How comes it that you are arrayed in purple and fine linen? I didn’t imagine selling newspapers on the Bowery paid so well.”
“It doesn’t. This suit was a present.”
“Which one of the Vanderbilts gave it to you?”
“It is a gift from a lady.”
“Is she mashed on you?”
“The lady must be over forty. She has adopted me for the time being. I am to call her mother.”
“Doesn’t she want another son?” asked Sylvanus.