Part 2 (2/2)

”Yes, sir.”

”Why did you do it?”

”I wanted to know how much there was, so that no one might blame me if any were missing.”

”Didn't you want to take any?” asked the squire bluntly.

”Yes,” answered Tom promptly.

”Why didn't you? For fear you would be found out?”

”That may have had something to do with it, but it was princ.i.p.ally because it would have been stealing and stealing is wrong.”

”What would you have done with the money if you had taken it?”

”Started for California next week,” answered Tom directly.

”Eh?” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the squire, rather astonished. ”Why do you want to go to California--a boy like you?”

”To dig gold. I suppose a boy can dig gold, as well as a man. There doesn't seem to be much chance for me here. There's nothing to do but to work on the farm, and father and Walter can do all there is to be done there.”

”How is your father getting along?” asked the rich man, with an interest which rather surprised Tom.

”Poorly,” said Tom. ”He makes both ends meet; but we all have to do without a great many things that we need.”

The squire looked thoughtful. He took half a dollar from his wallet and tendered it to Tom.

”You've done me a service,” he said. ”Take that.”

Tom drew back.

”I would rather not take money for being honest,” he said.

”That's all nonsense,” said Squire Hudson sharply.

”That's the way I feel about it,” said Tom stoutly.

”Then you're a fool.”

”I hope not, sir.”

”This would have been quite a large loss to me. I am perfectly willing to give you this money.”

Then Tom gathered courage and said boldly, ”You can do me a great favor, Squire Hudson, if you choose.”

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