"There are many boys of ten who have to do it, mother."
"What could the poor boy do?"
"He might suffer a little; but if he does, he will the sooner come home."
"I wish he might," said Mrs. Brandon, with a sigh. "I think your father does very wrong not to go after him."
"He wouldn't know where to go. Besides, he has advertised."
"I hope Ben will not see the advertisement. Poor boy! he would feel hurt to think that we cared so little for him as to offer only one dollar for his return."
"He will know you had nothing to do with the advertisement, mother; you may be sure of that."
"Yes, he knows me too well for that. I would give all I have to have him back."
"I want him back too," said Mary. "He is my only brother, and of course I love him; but I don't think it will do him any harm to suffer a little as a punishment for going away."
"You were always hard upon the poor boy, Mary," said Mrs. Brandon.