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

rather, Ben had done so for her.
"Have you any young lady here without escort?" asked Mr. Campbell.
"No, sir. There is a young lady from Philadelphia, but she arrived with her
cousin, a lad of fifteen or sixteen."
"That cannot be the one I am in search of," said the unsuspecting guardian.
Of course, as the reader will readily surmise, Ida Sinclair was not the young
lady's real name, but it is the name by which we shall know her for the present.

After supper Ben went to Miss Sinclair's room, as directed.
"I think, Ben," she said, "it will be best for me to take all my meals in my
room during the short time I stay here. Should my guardian catch sight of me he
might give me some trouble, and that I wish to avoid."
"I guess you're right," said Ben.
"I shall wish you to come to my room two or three times a day, as I may have
some errands for you to do."
"All right, Miss Sinclair."
"You had better call me 'Cousin Ida,' so as to get used to it."
The next day as Ben was standing on the steps of the hotel he saw, with
surprise, Sam Sturgis approaching. It did not occur to him, however, that he was
responsible for Sam's presence in the city. He was glad to see a familiar
Hampton face, and he said cordially: "How are you, Sam?"
Sam nodded.
"You don't mean to say that you are stopping here, do you?"
"Yes, I do," said Ben, smiling. "Why not?"
"Because it's a first-class hotel."
"Why shouldn't I stay at a first-class hotel, Sam?"
"Because you are a poor boy. Maybe you've got some relations among the
servants?"
"If I have I don't know it."
"Your uncle told me you were stopping here, but I didn't believe it."
"Do you believe it now?" asked Ben.
"Perhaps you just stay round here to make people believe you are a guest of the
house."
"Why should I care what people think? Nobody knows me here. However, Sam, if you
want to be convinced, just come up to my room with me."
Sam concluded to accept the invitation, and accompanied Ben to the desk.
"Please give me the key to number sixty-six," said Ben.
"Here it is, sir."
Sam began to think Ben's statement was true, after all. There was no room for
doubt when Ben ushered him into the handsome chamber which he occupied.
"Make yourself at home, Sam," said Ben, enjoying his companion's surprise.
"It's very queer," thought Sam. "I wonder whether he won't run off without
paying his bill."
Sam rather hoped that this might be the case, as it would involve Ben in
disgrace.
"Your uncle tells me you are going to sail for California on Saturday."
"Yes, Sam."
"Have you bought your ticket?"
"Yes."
"How much did you pay?"