As to raising seven hundred dollars to pay off the mortgage, or induce
any capitalist to furnish it, she feared it would be quite impossible.

She anxiously waited for Ben's return from the Town Hall in order to
consult with him.




CHAPTER V
PROFESSOR HARRINGTON'S ENTERTAINMENT


Meanwhile Ben Barclay was enjoying himself at Professor Harrington's
entertainment. He was at the Town Hall fifteen minutes before the
time, and secured a seat very near the stage, or, perhaps it will be
more correct to say, the platform. He had scarcely taken his seat
when, to his gratification, Rose Gardiner entered the hall and sat
down beside him.

"Good-evening, Ben," she said pleasantly. "So you came, after all."

Ben's face flushed with pleasure, for Rose Gardiner was, as we have
said, the prettiest girl in Pentonville, and for this reason, as well
as for her agreeable manners, was an object of attraction to the boys,
who, while too young to be in love, were not insensible to the charms
of a pretty face. I may add that Rose was the niece of the Rev. Mr.
Gardiner, the minister of the leading church in the village.