"Tom Davenport."
Rose smiled. She had a little idea why Tom would not regret Ben's absence.
"Tom could be spared, as well as not," she said.
"He is a strong admirer of yours, I believe," said Ben mischievously.
"I don't admire him," retorted Rose, with a little toss of her head.
Ben heard this with satisfaction, for though he was too young to be a lover, he did have a strong feeling of attraction toward Rose, and would have been sorry to have Tom step into his place.
As Ben was preparing to go, Rose said, "Wait a minute, Ben."
She left the room and went upstairs, but returned almost immediately, with a small knit purse.
"Won't you accept this, Ben?" she said. "I just finished it yesterday. It will remind you of me when you are away."
"Thank you, Rose. I shall need nothing to keep you in my remembrance, but I will value it for your sake."