Tom had to lay his hat aside to do it and somehow losing hold of his hat seemed to increase his embarrassment. When the skates were back in the paper, it was with vast relief that he seized his hat once more. He had been aware during the operation that Mrs. Morris and her son had been talking together in low tones and now, when he stood up to leave, Sidney said:
“I say, Tom, Mumsie says——”
“No, Sid!”
“Well, anyway——” He paused and looked appealingly at his mother. “You say it, Mumsie, please.”
“Very well,” replied Mrs. Morris with her pleasant laugh. “Sid and I, Tom, want you to keep those other skates for yourself. They’re a sort of Christmas present from the Morris family. It’s very near Christmas, you know.”
“He doesn’t have to wait until Christmas to use them, though, does he?” said Sidney. “And, I say, Mumsie, maybe he’d rather have a pair like mine.”
“Would you?” asked Mrs. Morris.
“No’m. I mean—I—I’m awfully much obliged—and thank you very much—but I guess I’d rather not,” stammered Tom in an ecstasy of embarrassment.
“Don’t be a chump!” begged Sidney. “Of course you’ll take them. Why not? After coming all the way out here to-night and——”