It was impossible for the penitent firebug to say anything more. The tears he had been holding back since he first appeared in court now came out in full force, and, seated on the curbstone, he gave full sway to the sense of loneliness and shame in his heart.
Mrs. Hanson's lodgers soothed him as best they could, and not until he was ready for business once more, with a bundle of evening papers under his arm, did Seth think of leaving him.
Dan and Bill had both equipped themselves for work, and promised to have an eye out for Jip during the remainder of that day at least; therefore, Seth believed himself at liberty to follow his own inclinations.
"I want to go up to the engine-house for a spell; but I'll be in the room in time to go with you to school," he said to Dan, and the latter replied cheerily:
"All right, we'll flash up there by dark, and you needn't be 'fraid anybody will get the best of Jip while we're round."
Ten minutes later Seth was in Ninety-four's quarters, standing in front of 'Lish Davis, as the latter asked sternly:
"Why didn't you stay down-town an' enjoy yourself? That's what I told you to do."
"I can have more fun up here, an' I didn't think you'd care if I loafed 'round till it was time to go to school."
"Care? Of course we don't, Amateur; but you ought'er have some change; there's no sense in hanging on here all the time."
"I don't see very much of you, an' perhaps——"