6. Mr. Harris looked at the boy earnestly for a moment, and then asked: "When did you discover this mistake?"
"Not until I reached home," replied the lad. "When I paid for the books I was in a great hurry, fearing the boat would leave before I could reach it, and I did not examine the bill."
7. "Why did you not return before, and rectify the mistake?" asked the gentleman, in a tone slightly altered.
"Because, sir, I live some distance from the city, and have not been able to return till now."
8. "My dear boy," said Mr. Harris, "you have given me great pleasure. In a long life of mercantile business, I have never met with an instance of this kind before. You have acted nobly and deserve a recompense."
"I ask no recompense," returned the boy. "I have done nothing but my duty—a simple act of justice, and that deserves no reward, but itself."
9. "May I ask who taught you such noble principles'?" inquired Mr. Harris.
"My mother'," answered the boy, bursting into tears.
10. "Blessed is the child who has such a mother," said Mr. Harris, "and blessed is the mother of such a child. Be faithful to her teachings, my dear boy, and you will be the staff of her declining years."
"Alas, sir," said the boy, "my mother is dead! It was her sickness and death which prevented me from coming here before."