cat. And, perhaps, something might have happened to Bessie too, she is
so excitable when anything occurs. I hope you will let me reward you in
some way. Won't you accept this, please? You must have quite ruined your
clothes by your brave act, and perhaps this will purchase another suit,"
said the lady, holding out what Dick saw was a ten dollar bill.

He felt the blood fly to his face.

Then he looked down at his old garments, which he only donned for garden
work or fishing, and afterwards glanced up at Bessie, to laugh aloud.

"I guess I'm like Benjy, Mrs. Gibbs, and that the ducking did my clothes
more good than harm. These are my fishing duds, ma'm. And if you please
I'd rather not take any reward for pulling the poor little kitten in out
of the wet. It was only sport for me, and I was glad to be there to save
him for Bessie. Besides, I know my mother would not like it if I took
pay for doing so small a thing," he said.

"What did I tell you, mamma?" exclaimed Bessie, impulsively, as though
she had begged her mother not to offer the boy money.

The lady looked at Dick seriously for a minute, as if unable to exactly
understand the motives that influenced him to act as he did.

Then she smiled and remarked:

"Just as you say, Richard. I suppose you know best; but even though you
will not let us recompense you in any manner, we still feel that we are
under obligations to you for what you did. You seem to have had good
success in fishing?" noticing the fine string he was holding at his
side.

"It has not been a good day. I hope to do better to-morrow, for I have
an idea of going into the business for a while, and supplying families
with fresh caught fish, while waiting to secure a position. It is
necessary that I do something to help out at home, since my mother has
all she owns invested where it happens to be tied up just at present,
ma'm."

Had he dared, Dick would have liked to have mentioned the fact that it
was the secret hope of his heart some day to find an humble opening in
the bank of which the lady's husband was the head; but he lacked the
boldness to speak.

"I am sure the spirit you show is commendable enough, my boy. Your
mother has need of feeling proud of so affectionate a son. I have often
wished we had a boy to follow in the footsteps of Archibald; but Heaven
saw fit to take three from us when they were babies. Perhaps in some way
we can show you that we do appreciate what you did for Bessie