"Mr. Abercrombie is in Philadelphia on business; so you won't see him till to-morrow."
When the servant appeared, Mrs. Abercrombie directed her to take Ben downstairs, and give him something to eat.
"Don't go away till I see you, Ben," said Charles, lingering a little.
"All right," said Ben.
He followed the servant down the stairs leading to the basement. On the way, he had a glimpse through the half-open door of the breakfast-table, at which his sister and his cousin were shortly to sit down.
"Some time, perhaps, I shall be invited in there," he said to himself.
But at present he had no such wish. He knew that in his ragged garb he would be out of place in the handsome breakfast-room, and he preferred to wait until his appearance was improved. He had no fault to find with the servants, who brought him a bountiful supply of beefsteak and bread and butter, and a cup of excellent coffee. Ben had been up long enough to have quite an appetite. Besides, the quality of the breakfast was considerably superior to those which he was accustomed to take in the cheap restaurants which he frequented, and he did full justice to the food that was spread before him.
When he had satisfied his appetite, he had a few minutes to wait before Charles came down to speak to him.
"Well, Ben, I hope you had a good breakfast," he said.
"Tip-top," answered Ben.