"Oh, you're mighty innocent; but all the same, you know how to feather your own nest."
"In a good sense, I hope I do. I don't suppose anyone else will take the trouble to feather it for me. I think honesty and fidelity are good policy, don't you?"
"I don't pretend to be an angel," answered Conrad sullenly.
"Nor I," said Ben, laughing.
Some days later, Conrad came to Ben one day, looking more cordial than usual.
"Ben," he said, "I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Will you grant it?"
"I want to know first what it is."
"Lend me five dollars?"