“Yes’m, he’s awfully popular at school.”
“And,” continued Mrs. Morris smilingly, “you seem a very nice boy, too. I think you ought to know each other.”
Tom blushed a little. “Yes’m; I mean thank you,” he murmured.
Mrs. Morris laughed softly again. Tom liked that laugh of hers immensely, it was so sort of happy and kind and friendly. “Well,” she said, “we haven’t decided about the skates, have we? Perhaps the best thing to do is to have you send both pairs around and let Sidney take his choice. Could you send them this evening?”
“I—I’m afraid not,” answered Tom, glancing at the clock and knowing that the last delivery had left the store a half-hour ago.
Mrs. Morris’s face fell. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I did want him to have them to-night. He’s been so—so unhappy and grumpy to-day, you see. But perhaps I could take them myself if you did them up.”
“They’d be pretty heavy,” demurred Tom. “If—if you’ll let me, I’ll bring them myself after I get through.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t think of troubling you! We live quite a distance. I dare say to-morrow will do just as well.”
“I wouldn’t mind doing it a bit,” said Tom eagerly. “I—I’d be glad to!”
“Really? That’s very kind of you. If you’re quite certain it won’t be too much trouble, I’d love to have you. Besides, I want you to know my boy, and it will do him good to have someone of his own sort to talk to for a little while.”