"Thank you, sir," said our hero, feeling flattered at the value set upon his society by a gentleman from New York; for he had ascertained that Mr. Manning was a member of a business firm in the great city.
They left the hotel, Mr. Manning lighting a fresh cigar.
"I won't offer you a cigar, Ben," he said, "for I don't think it well for boys of your age to smoke."
"I never smoked in my life," said Ben.
"But I presume you know some boys that do."
"Oh, yes, plenty of them."
"It is a bad thing for them, impoverishing the blood, and often checking the growth. I am glad you have not contracted the habit. Suppose we walk by your house?"
"All right, sir. You won't find it very large or elegant."
"But is it comfortable?"
"Oh, yes, sir."