Aleko looked at him and his face relaxed a little. Then he wiped his hand carefully on his clothes and laid it in the banker’s, saying gravely:—
“You are forgiven.”
“And now, will you tell me what I may do for you to show my gratitude?”
“May I bring the newspapers to your house again?” asked Aleko, his eyes brightening.
The banker laughed.
“Do you like to sell newspapers?”
“It is my work,” answered Aleko.
“Is there nothing else you would prefer to do?”
“He wants to study, Nico,” cried the old man, “he wants it as none of you, my old pupils, ever wished it, and he cannot, because he must work all day to keep himself, and to help his mother and his little sisters.”
The banker gathered his eyebrows together thoughtfully.