"What should you think would be a good price, if you were going to pay money?"
Carrots hesitated, looked around at Teddy, then again at the doctor, and finally said:
"I reckon I'd be willin' to go as high as twenty-five cents if he was fixed up in good shape, 'cause I know he'll pay it back jest as soon as he gets to work. Course he can't do anything now."
"Very well, bring your friend here whenever you please, and when I chance to be where you are working, I will call on you for one of the shines."
Then the gentleman took up the book he had been reading, as a sign that there was no need to prolong the interview, and the boys went at full speed after the invalid.
On being told that he would receive attention from a regular doctor, Ikey announced his willingness to climb over the fence a dozen times if it should be necessary, and without delay the journey was begun.
Fortunately the physician was still at home when they returned. He examined the injured member, took something from his pocket which the others could not see at first, and, before the invalid was aware of his purpose, had passed the keen blade of the lancet through the swelling.
Ikey felt faint with pain for an instant, and then looked wonderfully relieved, as the doctor said, soothingly:
"There, my boy, you will be all right in a few days. I will bandage it, and you must be careful not to catch cold."
Carrots watched the operation intently, and when the physician intimated that his services were at an end, he drew a long breath of relief as he said: