He could hardly believe his ears . He took the slip of paper Mr. Walters handed to him and rose to his feet . `` Wait a minute , Dan . How was it you came to tell me this ? You might have stopped your depredations , and I should not have been any the wiser . '' `` That would n't have been honest , sir , '' said Dan , looking squarely at him . There was a brief silence . Mr. Walters thrummed meditatively on the table . Dan waited wonderingly . Finally the factory owner said abruptly , `` There 's a vacant place for a boy down here . I want it filled as soon as possible . Will you take it ? '' `` Mr. Walters ! Me ! '' Dan thought the world must be turning upside down . `` Yes , you . You are rather young , but the duties are not hard or difficult to learn . I think you 'll do . I was resolved not to fill that place until I could find a perfectly honest and trustworthy boy for it . I believe I have found him .
I discharged the last boy because he lied to me about some trifling offence XXXXX which I would have forgiven him if he had told the truth .
Dan Walters as at duties for minute on place to