"I do not blame you, Mr. Bates; on the contrary, I think you have acted wisely. Still, if at any time you should need a friend, you may reckon upon me."
"Thank you, sir," said Benny, with a shake in his voice, "thank you very much; and now, sir, could I see Mr. Lawrence?"
"Oh, yes, I will send him to you at once."
"Good morning, Benny," was Mr Lawrence's greeting; "and have you settled the matter?"
"That's right; I am glad to hear it. And now, when can you be ready?"
"That will do; and in the meantime I will secure lodgings for you, and make things as straight and pleasant against your arrival as I possibly can."
"Don't name it; but I will send you word when I have secured a comfortable home for you, so that if you like to send on your luggage beforehand, you may do so."
The next few days Benny was busy getting his things together, previous to his departure from Scout Farm. Little Winnie followed him everywhere, and wanted him to promise her that he would not "do away." He did not think until he began to pack his things that the parting would cost him so much, nor did he know till then how closely the little prattling Winnie had twined herself around his heart.
"Benny does not 'ove his 'ittle Winnie, to do away," the child repeated over and over again, with choking voice and brimming eyes.
"Benny's pet," he would say, taking her up in his arms and kissing away her tears; "he loves you more than he can tell."
"Then Benny'll stay with Winnie, won't he?"
"Do you want Benny to stay very badly, eh, pet?"
"Oh, yes, Winnie 'oves 'oo werry much; don't do away, Benny."
"I'll come back again at Christmas, Winnie, and then we'll have rare fun, and I'll bring you a new doll and heaps of oranges."
At length the last morning of his stay arrived. It was a silent party that sat down to breakfast, for the hearts of all were too full for speech. Then the trap was brought round, and they all drove over to the station together. The train was in time this morning, for which Benny felt thankful. There was only time for a hurried good bye good-bye, an extra kiss for Winnie, and the train started for the busy town where Benny was to commence afresh the race of life.
I have seen angels in the gloomy prison, In crowded halls, by the lone widow's hearth; And when they passed the fallen have uprisen, The giddy paused, the mourner's hope had birth.