Unfortunately, Dick had contracted a fondness for smoking--a
habit which his scanty supply of pocket-money rarely enabled him
to indulge. This windfall would keep him in cigars for some time.
It was this reflection which finally turned the wavering scale of
Dick's irresolution, and determined him to embrace John's offer.
The moon was now at the full, and the nights were bright and
beautiful. Dick decided that it would be best to defer the
accomplishment of his purpose till later in the month, when
darker nights would serve as a screen, and render detection more
difficult.
By and by a night came which he thought suitable. A few stars
were out, but they gave only a faint glimmer of light, not more
than was necessary.
Dick went to bed at nine o'clock, as usual. By an effort he
succeeded in keeping awake, feeling that if he once yielded to
drowsiness, he should probably sleep on till morning. At
half-past nine all in the house were abed. It was not till
eleven, however, that Dick felt it safe to leave the house. He
dressed himself expeditiously and in silence, occasionally
listening to see if he could detect any sound in the room above,
where his parents slept. Finally he raised the window softly, and
jumped out. He crept out to the road, and swiftly bent his steps
toward Mr. Frost's house.
As this was not more than a third of a mile distant, a very few
minutes sufficed to bring him to his destination. Dick's feelings
were not the most comfortable.
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