Mr. Dodge soon joined them accompanied by their pastor whom he met coming to make a call. Jimmy's head ached; but his mother's hand, passing softly across his forehead, soothed the pain; so he sat quiet, and listened to the conversation.
"I have been to see Mr. Crawson," began the clergyman, "and I am very much pleased with what he says of himself."
"That man's heart is in the right place," responded Mr. Dodge warmly. He then repeated the story of Mr. Crawson's having drawn a hundred dollars from the brink to pay the Doctor's bill, and how the good, generous man had returned the money.
Jimmy had never heard the story before, and was very much affected by it. He knew that Mr. Crawson worked very hard to earn enough to support his family; and that his sons never had a cent to spend for sports. Then his father went on to state how the Doctor had brought him a receipted bill, adding:
"I could not offend the good man by not accepting it; but I shall watch a chance to do him a favor."
The clergyman staid some time; but Jimmy heard nothing more. An idea had flashed into his mind; and he wanted to be alone to think it over.
"I'll go to bed now," he whispered to his mother, and she answered, "Very well, dear. I'll go to your chamber as soon as the pastor has gone."
It was almost an hour later when the company left, so that she could attend to Jimmy. She hoped and expected he would be asleep; but on entering his room with a light in her hand, she saw that his eyes were wide open, and there was a crimson spot on either cheek.
"Why, Jimmy, are you sick, darling?" she asked quickly.
"No, mother; but I've got a plan. I hope you and father will be willing."