“No true man likes to bring even deserved misfortune on others, Harry,” broke in Mr. Rexford kindly. “We understand how you feel about it.”
“Will I have to—to——” Harry stopped.
“Appear against them?” interrupted the detective. “No; Farley has confessed everything. You’re out of it from now on.”
After a little further conversation, Mr. Rexford and Harry left the detective’s office and returned to the book department. During the morning Harry was assailed with curious questions concerning the affair, but he only shook his head and replied, “I can’t tell you. Please don’t ask me.”
The news had traveled rapidly throughout the store, however, as at least thirty salespersons in the various departments were implicated in the thieving. Even Teddy, in his distant realm of kettles and pans, heard the tale and besieged Harry with countless questions when they met at the end of the day. But Harry told him nothing beyond the barest details, and at home he was absolutely silent on the subject. He was greatly relieved when at the end of the week he learned from Mr. Rexford that the offenders had escaped prison. They were each compelled to pay a sum to the store, set by the management, then discharged. Martin Brothers were not vindictive. They did not care to prosecute.
After this unpleasant experience followed a delightful monotony for Harry, in which he did his work faithfully, went to school, read the books Mr. Rexford frequently lent him and considered himself the luckiest boy alive. The friendship between him and Teddy had daily grown and deepened, and the acquaintance between the boys’ mothers bade fair to become intimacy. Harry spent frequent evenings at Teddy’s home, and Teddy was a welcome visitor in the Harding’s humble rooms.
But while these pleasant friendships progressed, the year progressed also, and before the lads realized the change, winter had given an early place to spring and May arrived in all her flower-decked glory.
“Walking’s good these days,” remarked Teddy as he and Harry strolled leisurely home one night through the warm spring sunshine. “Summer’s coming pretty fast. I’m glad, but I’m sorry.”
“What!” exclaimed Harry, “aren’t you glad that vacation time is coming, and school will soon close?” he added slyly.
Teddy’s freckled face grew red. Then he laughed. “You said that on purpose,” he accused. “You know I hate to leave Miss Leonard.”