"But not for the same reasons," said Sam. "It was because times were dull."
"I rather think Ben's work was satisfactory enough, but you influenced your father against him."
"How much pay does he get?" inquired Sam.
"More than he received at the mill."
"I wonder whether all this is true," considered Sam. "James Watson is Ben's friend and he may represent things better than they are."
An excellent plan suggested itself to Sam. He would ask his father's permission to go to Boston and pass a day or two with his friend, Frank Ferguson. This would allow him to drop into Jones & Porter's store and judge for himself how Ben was situated.
Sam had no trouble about obtaining permission.
On reaching the city he decided to call at the store before going to his friend's residence.
Ben was dusting books, when a glance toward the door revealed the entrance of Sam. The latter had cherished a faint hope that James had deceived him, and that Ben was really not employed.
"How shall I receive him?" Ben asked himself.