CHAPTER XIX — A COOL RECEPTION
"This isn't quite the reception I expected," thought Ben. He was provoked with the disagreeable woman who persisted in regarding and treating him as an intruder, but he was not nervous or alarmed. He knew that things would come right, and that Mrs. Hill and her promising son would see their mistake. He had half a mind to let Conrad call a policeman, and then turn the tables upon his foes. But, he knew that this would be disagreeable to Mrs. Hamilton, whose feelings he was bound to consider.
"Before you call a policeman," he said quietly, "it may be well for you to read this letter."
As he spoke handed Mrs. Hill the letter he had received from Mrs. Hamilton.
Mrs. Hill took the letter suspiciously, and glared over it. As she read, a spot of red glowed in each pallid check, and she bit her lips in annoyance.
"I don't understand it," she said slowly.
Ben did not feel called upon to explain what was perfectly intelligible. He saw that Mrs. Hill didn't want to understand it.
"What is it, ma?" asked Conrad, his curiosity aroused.
"You can read it for yourself, Conrad," returned his mother.