“Glad to find you, Sir. Do you not remember that you lent me a dollar? Oh, it has been of great use to me; and I have wanted so much to thank you, and pay it back to you. I have carried it in my pocket for a long time; but I did not know that you lived in this house.”
As Ernest spoke, he drew a silver dollar from his pocket, carefully wrapped in a piece of paper, and offered it to the gentleman; but he drew back, saying,
“This is some mistake, my lad. I never lent you a dollar.”
“Oh yes, Sir, a long time ago; more than a year. It was in Mr. Thayer’s shop, Sir. We were very poor then, and I was so anxious to do something to help my mother. You thought I was too small to carry a basket; but you lent me the dollar.”
“I remember it now, my boy. You are an honest little fellow. And have you really succeeded well?”
“Very well, Sir. We are not so poor now. Mother does not have to work so hard, and we have good food and comfortable clothes. It is all owing to your kindness, Sir.”
Once more Ernest offered the dollar; but the gentleman refused it, saying,
“I intended to give it to you, my child.”
“But I should feel happier if you would take it, Sir; I have saved it for you so long.”
“I will take the little match boxes instead, then,” replied his friend. “Will that satisfy you?”