"Alger Jr, Horatio - The Young Explorer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

"Poor boy!" said Ben compassionately.
"Oh, he don't mind it, Patsy don't. He's always jolly."
By this time they reached the office of the California Steamship Company. There
was a large sign up, so that there was no difficulty in finding it.
The two boys entered. The room was not a large one. There was a counter, behind
which were two young men writing, and there was besides a man of middle age, who
was talking to two gentlemen who appeared to be engaging passage. Seated in a
chair, apparently awaiting her turn, was a young lady, whose face was
half-concealed by a thick, green veil.
When the two gentlemen were disposed of, the agent spoke to the young lady.
"What can I do for you, miss?" he asked.
"I am in no hurry, sir," she answered, in a low voice. "I will wait for those
boys."
"What's your business, boys?" demanded the agent, shrugging his shoulders.
"When does the next steamer start, sir?" inquired Ben.
"In three days."
"What is the price of passage?"
"First-class?"
"No, sir, the cheapest."
"One hundred dollars. Do you wish to secure passage?"
"Not this morning, sir."
The agent shrugged his shoulders again, as if to say "I thought so," and turned
again to the young lady.
"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."
"You were going alone-you had no friends with you?"
"None at all, miss."
"That is well," she said. "What is your name?"
"Ben Stanton."
"Do you live in the city?"