"Not much. I hoped he would an' I had to give him a chance, Jimmy?"
"Why'd you have to?" asked Jimmy, curiously.
"Where would I be now if somebody hadn't given me a chance, Jimmy?"
"Oh, you--you ain't Carrots. You're another sort."
"Yes, I'm another sort now, but I was bad as Carrots before I met Nan an' Little Brother," answered Theo, earnestly. Then he added, "Don't you worry 'bout the stand. I'll go out presently an' buy what's wanted."
"An' ain't ye going to do nothin' ter that Carrots for this, neither?" inquired Jimmy, anxiously.
"No, nothing. But, Jimmy, don't fret yourself about him. If he keeps on as he's been doin', he'll soon find himself locked up."
"'N' he'd oughter be too," muttered Jimmy, as he went away, leaving Theodore to think over the failure of his attempt. He was not much surprised, though he had not expected quite such a clean sweep on Carrots' part, and the loss was not heavy enough to embarrass him at all. At Mr. Scott's suggestion, Theo had begun to deposit his extra earnings in a savings bank and he had enough on hand to easily replace the dishes and utensils lost, but he was disappointed and disheartened. It seemed so useless to try to help one who would not try to help himself. And yet he could not be quite discouraged since he always remembered what he himself had once been.
He went out and bought what was needed and when he came back he found Mr. Scott just turning away from his door. He hastened to unlock it and the gentleman turned back, saying,
"I'm glad you came before I had got away, Theodore, for I want to talk over that boys' club plan with you."