"Why? 'Cause the park policeman said he was fightin'; but he wasn't. He was only beginnin'. He might uv licked Skip, too, if they'd let him alone. I know by the way he put up his hands."
"Then it seems, according to your story, that he really was fighting."
"How could he, when he hadn't even commenced? Skip hit him, an' knocked the papers out er his hands, an' then he was goin' to lick Skip, but didn't have time."
The attorney was a patient man, and, possibly, the boy's manner of telling the story amused him; therefore he continued asking questions, preventing any detailed account of previous quarrels which Skip might have had, until he was in possession of all the important facts, when he asked:
"Do you know what a lawyer usually charges for such a case as this?"
"Now you're comin' right down to dots!" Carrots said, beginning to feel more at ease since the attorney treated him in such a friendly fashion. "You see, this feller hasn't got any money, an' I don't claim to be a millionaire myself. I know lawyers charge a good deal for doin' a little o' nothin'; but I thought if you'd kind er take it out in trade, we might make a bargain."
"What business are you in?"
"I shine boots; an' if you'll get this feller out er the scrape, I'll come in here an' black your boots every mornin' this year, for nothin'. You can't make a better trade'n that if you should look 'round a good while."
"That is quite a contract you are proposing."
"I know it; but you see I want ter make it an object for you to get Teddy out."