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 half an hour. And thus, to have Dicky carry on the business—and in his enthusiasm he did it very well—was a further consideration.

Father Start chatted with Dicky till the boy could scarce plait for very pride. Would not Dicky like to work regularly every day, asked Father Sturt, and earn wages? Dicky could see no graceful answer but the affirmative; and in sober earnest he thought he would. Father Sturt took hold of Dicky's vanity. Was he not capable of something better than other Jago boys? Why should he not earn regular wages, and live comfortably, well-fed and clothed, with no fear of the police, and no shame for what he did? He might do it, when others could not. They were not clever enough. They called themselves "clever" and "wide;" "but," said Father Sturt, "is there one of them that can deceive me?" And Dicky knew there was not one. Most did no