When Ben entered the room where Mrs. Craven, pale and wasted, sat in a rocking-chair, she burst into tears. The sight of Ben brought her boy more vividly to mind.
"How do you do, Mrs. Craven?" said Ben.
"My heart is broken, Benjamin," she answered, sadly. "You have heard of my poor boy's death?"
"Yes, I have heard of it."
"You were his friend. You know how good he was."
"Yes, Frank is the best fellow I know," said Ben, warmly.
"You say is. Alas! you forget that he is no more."
Katy had descended to the kitchen. Ben looked cautiously around him.
"Mrs. Craven," he said, "can you keep a secret?"