“You will be as much surprised to hear that I am in London, as I was when I found myself on board the Etruria, and was told by Mrs. Harcourt, my patroness, that we were bound for a voyage across the Atlantic. She has traveled a good deal in Europe, but her start seems very sudden. Well, we had a fine, smooth voyage, which I very much enjoyed. I must tell you that my most intimate friend on board was the son of an Earl, and furthermore that I am invited to make a visit to Bentley Hall, the seat of the Earl. When you get this letter I expect to be the guest of the Earl. I might feel awkward, like a cat in a strange garret, as the saying is, but for my being so intimate with Cyril. When I used to read the stories of high life in England in some of the New York story-papers, I never imagined that it would be my lot to become acquainted with any of the English aristocracy, but it has come about.
“I wish you could see me, Albert. I am dressed in the style, I assure you, for Mrs. Harcourt, who considers me her adopted son, wishes me to do her credit. Still, Albert, I am the same boy at heart that I have always been, and nothing would please me more than to spend an evening at your house and play checkers. I believe you beat me the last game we played together. It may interest you to know that I played a game on board ship with the Earl of Bentley, and I am glad to say that I won. I don’t think his lordship plays as good a game as you.
“Please show this letter to my mother, and say that I will soon write her under cover to you.
“Your affectionate friend,
“Ben Bruce.”
“There, Mrs. Winter, what do you say to that?” asked Albert.
“Ben is getting on wonderfully,” said his mother. “I can hardly believe it. It seems like a romance.”
“At any rate it shows that Ben couldn’t have been stealing in New York.”
“I am thankful for that, though I did not for a moment believe it possible.”
At supper time Mrs. Winter seemed so bright and cheerful that her husband was not only surprised but annoyed.
“It seems to me, Mrs. W.,” he said, “that you are unusually chipper, considerin’ that Ben has got into such a scrape.”
“I told you, Mr. Winter, that I had no faith in the story—that is, applied to Ben.”
“You say that, but I have no doubt that you believe it.”
“I have positive proof that Ben did not steal any money in New York.”