“'What your hand finds to do, you believe in doing with all your might, eh?' says the old gent.
“'That's it, sir,' says Joe. 'That's what I've always tried to do.'
“'Anything else?' asks the old gent.
“'Yes; stick to your pals,' said Joe.
“'Through thick and thin,' suggests the old gent.
“'To the blooming end,' agrees Joe.
“'That's right,' says the old gent. 'Faithful unto death. And you really want to turn over a new leaf—to put your wits and your energy and your courage to good use instead of bad?'
“'That's the idea,' says Joe.
“The old gent murmurs something to himself about a stone which the builders wouldn't have at any price; and then he turns and puts it straight:
“'If you undertake the work,' says he, 'you'll go through with it without faltering—you'll devote your life to it?'