He read it again and again, and gradually the only explanation that could be attached to so clear a request came into his mind—why, they meant to offer him a position in the bank—his dream seemed in a fair way of being realized.
Was it Charles who had done this—could it be possible that the boasting one really did have more or less influence with the president?
Then his mind roved in another direction, and he realized that after all his humane act of the previous day must be bearing fruit; Bessie and her mother had told Mr. Gibbs about the saving of the wonderful Benjy from a watery grave, and no doubt also related how the boy had declined to take any money as a reward for his kind deed; then one of them must have mentioned the fact that Dick had said he was looking for work, and this had led the banker to write to him.
It was glorious, and he jumped up to meet his mother, whom he discovered coming through the back garden just then.
She was surprised to see him home.
"No use telling me you have been successful, my boy, for your face tells the story better than words," she declared, laying down a dish in which she had doubtless carried some little tempting dainty to the sick woman; they might not have much themselves; but there were always others worse off.
Dick put his hand in his pocket and drawing it out, said:
"Guess how much for my morning's catch?"
"A dollar," she replied, always entering into the spirit of his pleasantry.