"Where did you learn that word, Tony?" inquired his mother, shocked.
"It isn't swearing, is it, mother?"
"No, but it is not refined."
"I'm too young to be refined, mother."
"But where did you learn it, Tony?"
Ben smiled. "Tony don't want to expose me, Aunt Jane," he said. "I suppose he learned it of me. It isn't a bad word."
"I never used it," said Mrs. Bradford primly.
"No, I should think not," said Ben, laughing. "I can't image you calling anything bully. It isn't a lady's word. You know, aunt, boys can't always use go-to-meetin' words. They want to be free and easy sometimes."
Here the discussion was dropped, and the evening was passed cheerfully.
The next morning Mr. Manning called. Admitted into the little cottage, he glanced quickly about him, and was pleased to find that, though the furniture was plain, there was evidences of neatness. Mrs. Bradford, too, in spite of her tendency to low spirits, impressed him favorable, as likely to be kind and judicious. But perhaps what influenced him as much as anything was the presence of Tony, for he held that a child companion would be very desirable for his young ward. He repeated the offer of seven dollars a week.