"They may be," admitted Ben good-naturedly, "but they get hungry sometimes. Aunt Jane, is there anything to eat in the house?"
"I will set the table at once," said his aunt. "The little girl must be hungry, too."
"You're undertakin' a great responsibility, Mrs. Bradford," said Mrs. Perkins. "The little girl will be a great care to you."
"I don't look upon it in that light," said Mrs. Bradford. "I am glad to have her here."
"Humph! You will talk different a month from now. But I must be goin'."
After dinner Ben bethought himself of the envelope which Mr. Somerby had given him.
He opened it, when a bank-note dropped to the floor. Picking it up, he saw, to his amazement, that it was a fifty-dollar bill. With sparkling eyes he read the letter, or rather these few lines which were penciled on a half-sheet of note paper:
"I have been interested in your story, and beg your acceptance
of the enclosed as a slight help and encouragement. Should you ever
need advice or assistance, I shall be glad to have you call upon me."
"Frederic Somerby"
"What do you think of that, Aunt Jane?" said Ben in a tone of exultation. "Hasn't my motto worked pretty well, after all? Isn't it better to 'Wait and Hope' than to give up and get discouraged?"
"Yes, Ben, I begin to think you are right."