"I mean that I should have been unwilling to have our son grow up no better than we are. He, at any rate, should have been a good man."
"What's up now, old woman? You haven't been attending Sunday-school lately, have you?" demanded Jack, with a sneer.
"I did once, Jack, and I haven't quite forgotten what I learned there, though it don't look like it now."
"Are you going back on me?" demanded Jack fiercely.
"No, Jack, it's too late for that. I have helped you, and I mean to help you, but to-night the sight of that boy, and the thought of our son, who died so long ago, have given me a turn. If it was a man, it would be different. But you have promised you won't harm him, and no more need be said."
"Too much has been said already, to my thinkin'," growled Jack. "However, that's over, and I expect you to help me if I need help."
Ben heard every word that was said, and it confirmed his suspicions. There was no doubt that an attempt would be made to rob him and his companion before morning, and the prospect was not pleasant. By submitting quietly he would come to no harm, and the loss of the money would not be irreparable. He and Bradley had each started with a hundred dollars, supplied by Miss Doughlas, and thus far but little of this sum had been spent. Their employer would doubtless send them a further supply if they were robbed, but they would be reluctant to apply to her, since the loss would be partly the result of their imprudence.
Ben felt that he was in a tight place, and he was not quite certain what he should or could do.