"Mother," said Ben, "this is Mr. Harvey Dinsmore."
"I believe we have met before," said Dinsmore, smiling. "I fear my first visit was not welcome. To-day I come in more respectable guise and as a friend."
"You are welcome, sir," said the widow courteously. "I am glad to see you. I should hardly have known you."
"I take that as a compliment. I am a tramp no longer, but a respectable and, I may add, well-to-do citizen. Now I have a favor to ask."
"Name it, sir."
"Place me, if convenient, where I can hear the interview between Mr. Davenport and yourself without myself being seen."
Ben conducted Dinsmore into the kitchen opening out of the sitting room, and gave him a chair.
At five minute to twelve there was a knock at the outer door, and Ben admitted Squire Davenport.
"So you are home again, Benjamin," said the squire. "Had enough of the city?"
"I am taking a vacation. I thought mother would need me to-day."