“We ain’t no more alike than ile and water,” he said, when she first suggested his going, “and they won’t think as much of you for seein’ me.”
But Marian insisted, and Ben went with her, mentally resolving to say but little, as by this means he fancied “he would be less likely to show how big a dolt he was!”
CHAPTER XX.
WILL GORDON.
Mrs. Sheldon’s residence was a most delightful spot, reminding Marian a little of Redstone Hall, and as she passed up its nicely graveled walk and stepped upon its broad piazza, she felt that she could be very happy there, provided she met with sympathizing friends. Any doubts she might have had upon this subject were speedily dispelled by the appearance of Mrs. Sheldon, in whose face there was something very familiar; and it was not long ere Marian identified her as the lady who had spoken so kindly to her in the car between Albany and New York, asking her what was the matter, and if she had friends in the city. This put Marian at once at her ease, and her admiration for her employer increased each moment, particularly when she saw how gracious she was to Ben, who true to his resolution, scarcely spoke except to answer Mrs. Sheldon’s questions and to decline her invitation to dinner.
“I should never get through that in the world without some blunder,” he thought, and as the dinner bell was ringing, he took his leave, crying like a child when he parted with Marian, who was scarcely less affected than himself.
Going to the depot, he sauntered into the ladies’ room, where he found a group of young girls, who were waiting the arrival of a friend, and who, meantime, were ready for any fun which might come up. Ben instantly attracted their attention, and one who seemed to be the leader of the party, began to quiz him, asking “where he lived, and if he had ever been so far from home before?”
Ben understood the drift of her remarks at once, and with imperturbable gravity, replied:
“I come from down East, where they raise sich as me, and this is the fust time I was ever out of Tanton, which allus was my native town!”
Then, taking his tobacco box from his pocket, he passed it to an elegant-looking man, whom he readily divined to be the brother of the girl, saying to him:
“Have a chaw, captain? I’d just as lief you would as not.”