Then he said, "I wish you success in your undertaking, and here's a
trifle for a send-off." He held out a silver dollar as he spoke, but
Theodore did not take it.
"Thank ye, sir," he said, gratefully; "you've been real good to me,
but I can't take any money now, 'cept what I earn. I c'n earn all I
need."
"So?" replied Mr. Harris, "you're independent. Well, I like that, but
I'll keep this dollar for you, and if you ever get in a tight place
you can come to me for it."
"Thank you, Mr. Harris," said the boy again. "I won't forget, but I
hope I won't need it," and then he picked up his belongings and left
the office. As he passed Mr. Hammond's desk, he said, "Good-morning,
sir," but the clerk pretended not to hear.
All through the next week and for weeks after, Theodore spent his time
from nine to five o'clock, cleaning brasses and making contracts for
the regular care of them, until he had secured as much work as he
could attend to himself.
Meantime, Jimmy Hunt had taken entire charge of the stand and was
doing well with it. Theo gave him four-fifths of the profits and he
was perfectly satisfied, and so was his mother, who found his earnings
a welcome addition to the slim family income, and it was so near the
end of the school term that she concluded it did not matter if Jimmy
did stay out the few remaining weeks.
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