"So I do, generally, but I was excused this evening for a special reason," and then he told of his adventure with the tramp.
Rose listened with eager attention.
"Weren't you terribly frightened?" she asked.
"No," answered Ben, adding, with a smile: "Even if I had been, I shouldn't like to confess it."
"I should have been so frightened that I would have screamed," continued the young lady.
"I didn't think of that," said Ben, amused. "I'll remember it next time."
"Oh, now I know you are laughing at me. Tell me truly, weren't you frightened?"
"I was only afraid I would lose Mr. Crawford's money. The tramp was stronger than I, and could have taken it from me if he had known I had it."
"You tricked him nicely. Where did he go? Do you think he is still in town?"
"He went into the woods. I don't think he is in the village. He would be afraid of being arrested."