“Very correct. Do you know what I was about to do when you came in?”
“No, sir.”
“I had just discovered my loss. I was writing an advertisement offering a reward of five hundred dollars if you would bring them back.”
“I hope you don’t think I needed a reward for doing my duty.”
“Some boys would.”
“I am not one of that kind,” said Tom, proudly.
“I am now willing to pay you that reward. You have relieved my mind of a great load.”
“I will not accept a dollar, sir,” said Tom, firmly.
“Yet I judge that you are a poor boy?”
“Poor, but honest.”