"I am afraid you are too partial, mother. I shall hate to leave you alone."
"I can bear loneliness if I know you are prospering, Ben."
"And it will only be for a time, mother. When I am a young man and earning a good income, I shall want you to come and live with me."
"All in good time, Ben. How soon do you want to go?"
"I think it better to lose no time, mother. You know I have no work to keep me in Pentonville."
"But it will take two or three days to get your clothes ready."
"You can send them to me by express. I shall send you the address."
Mrs. Barclay was a fond mother, but she was also a sensible woman. She felt that Ben was right, and, though it seemed very sudden, she gave him her permission to start the next morning. Had she objected strenuously, Ben would have given up his plan, much as he desired it, for he felt that his mother had the strongest claims upon him, and he would not have been willing to run counter to her wishes.
"Where are you going, Ben?" asked his mother, as Ben put on his hat and moved toward the door.
"I thought I would like to call on Rose Gardiner to say good-by," answered Ben.