“No, sir.”
“You will need a recommendation, and I will write you one before I leave town. I haven’t known you long, but what I have seen of you gives me confidence in your good qualities. By the way, I shall need some one to help me pack, and I will keep you with me till I start for Europe. It will only be three days, but that will give you a chance to look about you, and will enable you to say you have been in my employ.”
“You are very kind, Mr. Griswold,” said Ben gratefully. “I didn’t expect to meet such a friend so soon.”
After breakfast Ben, accompanying Mr. Griswold, went up-town to a large building on lower Fifth Avenue, where Mr. Griswold rented a suite of rooms.
“You will occupy the small bedroom adjoining mine,” said Griswold, “and I will set you to work while I go out and make a few calls.”
During the day Ben was sent on several errands, and though a stranger to the city he managed to acquit himself creditably, making inquiries about locations when he was at fault.
Three days later he went to see his patron off on the Etruria.
Mr. Griswold handed him a ten-dollar bill and bade him good-by.
“I wish you good luck, Ben,” he said. “Be sure to call on me when I return.”
Ben waited on the dock till the floating hotel was fairly under way, and then turned away, feeling very lonely. He could hardly realize that the friend whom he so much regretted had been utterly unknown to him four days previous. Now he had no one to lean upon. He must rely wholly upon himself.