They had reached the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway.

Ben pulled the strap, and with his new friend left the stage. He
offered his hand politely to assist the lady in descending.

"He is a little gentleman," thought Mrs. Hamilton, who was much
pleased with our hero.

They turned from Broadway eastward, and presently crossed the Bowery
also. Not far to the east of the last avenue they came to a
carpenter's shop.

Mr. Plank, a middle-aged, honest-looking mechanic, looked up in
surprise when Mrs. Hamilton entered the shop.

"You didn't expect a call from me?" said the lady pleasantly.

"No, ma'am. Fashionable ladies don't often find their way over here."

"Then don't look upon me as a fashionable lady. I like to attend to
my business myself, and have brought you the money for your bill."

"Thank you, ma'am. You never made me wait. But I am sorry you had
the trouble to come to my shop. I would have called at your house if
you had sent me a postal."

"My time was not so valuable as yours, Mr. Plank. I must tell you,
however, that you came near not getting your money this morning.
Another person undertook to collect your bill."