“No wonder she likes you,” interrupted Harry. “Are you sure she said you were the best boy that ever lived?”
“Aw, quit teasing me,” grinned Teddy, “and listen to what I’m telling you. Where was I? Oh, yes. Just as I started on those tins she came yelling down the aisle like an Indian! She’d lost her pocketbook with her salary in it.”
“What did you do then?” asked Harry, with a curious sidelong glance at his companion.
“Oh, I had to drop the pans and help her hunt it. There wasn’t any fun in mixing ’em when she was crying like anything,” replied Teddy. “She didn’t find it, but the folks in the department all put together and made it up to her. She lost ten dollars. Mr. Everett made me give it to her. That’s when she said I was the best boy that ever lived. She—she—don’t you dare tell anybody,” Teddy stipulated threateningly, “but—she—she kissed me. Can you beat it?” His small face wore an expression of supreme disgust.
Harry shouted with laughter. “That’s a funny one on you, Ted.” Then, straightening his face, he asked with a suddenness that caught Teddy off his guard, “Who put in the first money for Miss Newton?”
“I did, I—oh, what made you go and ask that? I wasn’t goin’ to tell you.” Teddy looked abashed.
“I suspected she had a pretty strong reason for saying you were such a good boy. It was a kind thing to do, Teddy. I’m glad and proud you’re my chum.” Harry’s earnest, admiring speech brought a quick flush to Teddy’s cheeks. “Oh, forget it,” he muttered. “Say, did you know that if we pass an examination in May we can’t go to day school next year?”
“Yes, I heard that when first we came to the store. We will have to go to school on two evenings during the week after the store closes. But we are to have our suppers. Martin Brothers do that for the boys, to help them along. It’s mighty fine in them, isn’t it?”
“Yep,” agreed Teddy. “Oh, say, who do you suppose is coming to see me to-morrow night?”