“Well, if Asa has really conquered that weakness,” Dick went on to say soberly, “he deserves a heap of credit. Other fellows, who never knew what it was to feel that itching come over them so they just couldn’t resist a chance to take something, would never understand what the poor fellow has been up against.”
“You seem to believe he’s really and truly reformed, Dick.”
“I certainly do,” returned the other boy, warmly. “And if you care to hear why I’ll explain, though only if you promise never to breathe a word of it.”
“Count on me to keep the secret, Dick. I’ll be as dumb as any oyster you ever saw, so fire away.”
“Listen, then,” resumed the other, seriously. “One day about a week or so ago I was sent on an errand, and crossed the town graveyard to cut a corner. Somehow, when I was about half-way over, I thought I heard a voice, and yet I couldn’t see any one at first. I confess I was filled with curiosity, and looked around. Then I saw something move, and I stepped that way as softly as I could.”
“Oh! then it was Asa,” interrupted Leslie, feelingly. “And the chances are he was at his mother’s grave.”
“That’s where I found him,” said Dick, winking hard; “though I didn’t let him know I was around. He was lying there with his arms outspread, poor chap, and I guess he must have felt that his mother could hear him saying what he did, for it was to her he kept talking, now and then stopping to cry a little. I tell you, Leslie, it gave me a queer feeling to hear him; and pretty soon I slipped away without his knowing I’d been around.”
“What was he saying, Dick?” asked the other boy, with an intake of his breath.
“As near as I can remember it,” replied Dick, “he said something like this: ‘Oh, Mother! it’s hard to know you’re lying here all alone. But I’ll never forget what I promised you, and I’m trying with all my might and main to fight it out. I’ll win, too, Mother, I promise you I will! But oh! if I could only see you once more I’d be so happy!’”
Leslie was silent for a short time after Dick said this. He was not quite sure of his voice, which did sound a bit unsteady when he finally spoke.