"Say, old man, you're goin' it mighty strong, but we're proud of you. The fellers count on givin' you a reg'lar blow-out to-morrow, if it's so you can come down-town."
"Do you mean 'cause of what was done last night, Dan?" Seth asked, surprised that his roommate should have learned of the affair so soon, and Joe Black gave way to his mirth, although why he thought there was anything comical in what had been said, neither of the boys understood.
"Course I'm talkin' 'bout your savin' the baby."
"How did you hear of it so soon?"
"Hear of it! Why, it's in all the papers! Look at this!" and Dan unfolded the morning Herald as he pointed to an article nearly a column in length, which was headed, "A Brave Boy."
Seth made no attempt to read the account, and Dan cried impatiently as he held the sheet in front of him:
"Why, don't you see what it says? The fellers down-town are pretty nigh wild 'cause you've showed the firemen that you ain't any slouch, even if you did black boots for a livin'. I reckon Sam Barney will get green when he sees it, an' Bill's hangin' 'round so's to make certain that duffer hears 'bout it the first thing. Say, can't you come down by the post-office now?"
"I've got to go up to headquarters same as ever, an' it's most time now."
"But the fellers are just crazy to see you."
"They'll have to wait till night," Seth replied with a laugh, "'cause I'm bound to be there right on the dot."