His manner implied: "I am a rich man and you are a poor boy. How can you possibly serve me?"[18]

 

"Have you lost anything lately?" inquired Tom, coming at once to business.

 

I suppose most men, when asked such a question, would first think of their pocket-books. It was so with Squire Hudson. He hastily thrust his hand into his pocket, and found—a large hole, through which, doubtless, the wallet had slipped.

 

"I have lost my wallet," he said anxiously. "Have you found it?"

 

In reply Tom produced the missing article. The squire took it hurriedly, and, at once opening it, counted the money. It was all there, and he heaved a sigh of relief, for he was a man who cared for money more than most people.

 

"Where did you find it?" he asked.

 

Tom answered the question.

 

"It is very fortunate you came along before anyone else saw it. I rode that way on horse-back this morning. I told Mrs. Hudson that my pocket needed repairing, but she put it off, according to her usual custom. If it had not been found, I would have kept her on short allowance for a year to come."

 

Tom felt rather embarrassed, for, of course, it would not do to join in with the squire in[19] his complaints of his wife. Suddenly Squire Hudson said, eying him keenly: "Do you know how much money there is in this wallet?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Then you counted it?"

 

"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 promptly².

 

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

 

"That may have had something to do with it, but it was principally 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.

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