He could think of nothing else the balance of the day, while doing some little work in the garden; and scores of times he figuratively hugged himself in congratulation over his good luck.
Dick did not dig any more bait; in fact he was careful to put away his poles and lines, because, as he said to his mother, if he expected to go into the business harness now he would have little time for fishing.
That evening was a long one to him.
He thought it would never come time to retire; and after he snuggled down in bed it seemed as if he could not settle to sleep, so many things kept popping up in his mind to engage his attention.
But morning came at last.
Dick was up early, and started to dig some more ground in the garden, for the last planting of vegetables, beans and late corn.
"At any rate," he said at breakfast, as he leaned back and looked at his mother happily, "the hours are not early in a bank, so that I shall have plenty of time to do the chores around, and even look after my part of the garden before going to work."
"There will not be a great deal to do from now on that I cannot manage, my boy. I shall want you to keep your mind principally on your business, and, whatever it may be, do it with your whole soul. I expect to live to see you at the top rung of the ladder some day, Dick. You have your father's perseverance, and the desire to do everything as well as any person could possibly do it. I do not fear for your future," she said, proudly.
About ten o'clock Dick started out.
He was trembling a little as he kissed his mother, and there was a tear of sympathy in her eye when she waved him goodbye as he turned around down the road to look back.