“Isn’t that fine?” glowed Harry. “I’m glad she likes to hear about the store.”
“I never had anything good to tell her about school,” returned Teddy, “and I didn’t want her to know what a——” Teddy grinned—“a—menace to the school I was. It’s different when you work. I feel more like a man.” Teddy drew his slender body up to its fullest height and stalked proudly along beside Harry, who was divided between laughter and approbation of his small companion’s newly found dignity. He managed to keep a sober face, however, for he was too fond of Teddy to run the risk of wounding his pride.
“Seems funny not to go that way,” remarked Teddy as they passed the corner where he usually bade Harry good night.
“Yes, it does seem queer for you to keep right on going with me,” smiled Harry. “But you said you had something funny to tell me. Go ahead with it.”
Smiling at the recollection of the puzzled Italian woman who had plaintively begged to be conducted to Warren Street, and had been shown a large part of Martin Brothers’ stock of house furnishings instead, Teddy related the circumstance, interspersing the tale with frequent giggles.
Harry’s boyish laugh rang out at the ridiculous incident. He laughed still more when Teddy went on with the story of his spirited charge down the aisle and its unlooked for consequences.
“It was square of you, Ted, to ask that man not to report the fat boy.” Harry regarded Teddy with affection and appreciation. It didn’t much matter, he thought, if Teddy couldn’t keep out of mischief. He was truthful and honest, and that was what counted in a fellow who was one’s best chum. “What did that Howard Randall say? I suppose he didn’t say, ‘thank you?’”
“Well, he didn’t exactly say that, but—he—I—he isn’t such a mean kid, after all. He said he was sorry he tried to stick me for a nickel, and I’m not going to call him the elephant any more. We kind of made up.”
“I’m surprised.” The corners of Harry’s mouth twitched. Then he burst into laughter. “Don’t get mad, Ted,” he gasped, “but it’s so funny. He’s the last fellow I know that I’d say you’d be friends with.”