Singular as it may seem, he did not recognize Carrots until he had been told of the previous business connection, and even then appeared almost indifferent in regard to seeing his friend again.
Teddy had supposed Master Carrots was to attend to this portion of the task, owing to his acquaintance with the physician; but instead of doing so, his young partner, after entering the office, stood first on one foot and then on the other, staring at the medical gentleman in a manner well calculated to make a nervous person uncomfortable.
"Well, what can I do for you?" the doctor asked.
Carrots looked around at Teddy as he said, in a hoarse whisper:
"You tell him, old man. You can fix things up better'n I can."
Master Thurston opened negotiations by proceeding at once to the heart of the matter.
"We want ter hire a doctor," he said. "You see, Ikey Cain's got a lame leg, an' we haven't done anything for it yet except to give him some lamb, which I don't 'low is goin' to make him better very soon. Now what we thought 'bout doin' was to get you to look out for him, an' let us pay in trade. I sell papers, an' Carrots blacks boots. If you'll 'gree to fix Ikey up as he ought ter be, we'll come here every mornin' till the bill's paid."
"Where is the boy?" the doctor asked, looking amused rather than grave.
"Down where we live."
"Give me the address, and I will call there to-morrow morning."