"Pain is sometimes salutary. Has Conrad displeased you?"
"No, indeed!" answered Mrs. Hill, half indignantly. "My boy is a great comfort to me."
"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.
For her own part, Mrs. Hamilton thought her cousin's son one of the least attractive young people she had ever met, and save for a feeling of pity, and the slight claims of relationship, would not have been willing to keep him in the house.
"I don't see why you should have judged so ill of my poor Conrad," complained Mrs. Hill.
"I am glad you are so well pleased with him. Let me know what you have to communicate."
"It is something about the new boy—Benjamin."
Mrs. Hamilton lifted her eyebrows slightly.
"Speak without hesitation," she said.
"You will be sure not to misjudge me?"