Samuel found voice enough to gasp, “Why?”
“My mamma read me a story,” said the child. “It was about a little girl who met a burglar. And ever since I've been waiting for one to come.”
There was a pause. “Are you a really truly burglar?” the child whispered.
“I—I think so,” replied Samuel.
“You look very young,” she said.
And the other bethought himself. “I'm only a beginner,” he said. “This is really my first time.”
“Oh!” said the child with a faint touch of disappointment. “But still you will do, won't you?”
“Do for what?” asked the boy in bewilderment.
“You must let me reform you,” exclaimed the other. “That's what the little girl did in the story. Will you?”
“Why—why, yes”—gasped Samuel. “I—I really meant to reform.”