"Well, he's a little feller not much bigger'n Teenie Massey, an' I met him out here by the grocery store. I tell you he's been in awful hard luck, an' he's all banged up."
"What's the matter with him? Some more of Skip Jellison's work?"
"No, it ain't that; but he got hurt a while ago down to Pier 10, where they was unloadin' bananas, and he was layin' for a chance to get some. Now there's a sore on his leg, so he can't hardly walk, an' he hasn't been able to do any work for more'n three weeks."
"Where does he live?" Teddy asked.
"He stayed at the Newsboys' Lodgin' House till his money gave out, an' since then he's been stoppin' anywhere. Say, Teddy, he ain't had a thing to eat to-day."
"Why didn't you give him some of that 'leven cents?"
"That's what I wanted to do; but I was 'fraid you wouldn't like it."
"You ought to know better'n that. I've been hungry myself too many times since I left Saranac, not to understand how a feller feels."
"I'll tell you what I was thinkin' of; but of course I don't want you to go into the plan 'less you're willin'. It struck me as how it wouldn't be any bother if Ikey stayed here with us till he gets better. An' jest as soon's he's well he'll be willin' to pay us back what it'll cost for his grub. He isn't much of an eater, anyway. I could put down three times more stuff than he, an' not half try. Why, he thinks he's filled 'way up to the chin if he gets one bowl of soup," said Carrots, scornfully.
"There wasn't any need of your askin' me, Carrots, if he could come here," said Teddy, smiling. "This is your shanty."