"Now, miss," he said.
"I beg your pardon, sir," she said hurriedly. "I will call again."
As she spoke, she left the office, following the two boys so quickly
that they almost went out together.
Ben had not taken particular notice of the young lady, and was much
surprised when he felt a hand laid on his arm, and, turning, his
eyes fell npon her face.
"May I speak a few words with you?" she said.
"Certainly," answered Ben politely, though he could not conceal his
astonishment.
The young lady looked uneasily at Tom, and hesitated.
"Won't you move away a few steps, Tom?" said Ben, understanding the
look.
"Thank you," said the young lady, in a low voice. "Are you intending
to sail for California by the next steamer?"
"I should like to, miss, but I am poor, and I don't know whether I
can afford the expense of a ticket."
"Would you go if your ticket were paid-by a friend?"
"You bet I would-I mean I certainly would," answered Ben, correcting
his phraseology, as he remembered that he was addressing a young
lady, and not one of his boy friends.
"Would you be willing to take care of me--that is, to look after
me?"
Ben was certainly surprised; but he answered promptly and with
native politeness: "It would be a pleasure to me.
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