“I can’t help it. I am poor, Mrs. Winter, dreadfully poor.”
“Well, we will hope that luck will turn.”
At this moment the door of the kitchen where the table was spread was thrown open, and Ben, ruddy and glowing, stepped in.
“Why, it’s Ben!” exclaimed Mrs. Winter, her heart overflowing with joy.
Jacob Winter stared in surprise, but said nothing while Ben was embracing his mother.
“And how well you are looking, Ben!”
“But you have fallen off, mother. Mr. Winter, I hope you are well.”
Jacob Winter yielded his hand reluctantly to the boy’s proffered grasp.
“We’re very badly off,” he said querulously, “and now you’ve came back to live on us.”
“I think I shall be able to pay my way,” said Ben, smiling.