Teddy did not stop to consider that his mother might prove a match for Miss Alton and Mr. Waldron when it came to a question of her son’s incorrigibility. He thought only of putting himself beyond the reach of the school authorities by his own efforts.
The recess bell rang at last and the pupils filed out in orderly rows to the big, grassy yard, at one side of the school building. Teddy was at once surrounded by half a dozen boys, his particular friends. The girls collected in little groups about the yard to comment on Teddy’s iniquity. They eyed him askance with curious, aloof glances. The boys, however, were deeply interested in the possible outcome of Teddy’s rash defiance.
“You’re goin’ to get fired all right,” was the cheerful prophecy of one boy. “What’ll your mother say?”
“She won’t say,” giggled a freckle-faced boy. “She’ll just take Ted across her knee and——”
“Well, I guess not,” flung back Teddy. “I’m not going to wait to get fired, either. I’m going to beat it. When the recess bell rings I’m not going in with the rest of you. See here,” Teddy began pulling his various treasured belongings out of his pockets. “I brought all this stuff out to give you fellows. I sha’n’t want it. I’m going down to Martin Brothers’ Department Store and get a job. That’s what I’m going to do. Here’s my looking glass, Sam. Every time you cast a shadow with it, think of me. And you can have my marbles, Bob.”
Teddy distributed his belongings rapidly about the little circle. The boys took them with some reluctance. They had far rather have Teddy Burke, ringleader of all their mischief, with them than his belongings.
“Aw, why don’t you get your mother to come down here and fix it up with those old cranks?” demanded Sam Marvin regretfully. “It ain’t your stuff we want, Ted. It’s you. What’re we goin’ to do without you?”
“Be good,” grinned Teddy. “I’m a menace to the school, you know.”
“I wish I was goin’ to work,” said Bob Rayburn sadly. “Pa won’t let me, though.”