"I b'lieve you, Teenie, I b'lieve you; but you understand how things are workin'. Teddy an' me are in a pretty bad hole jest now, an' we've got to be careful. If you could kind er tell us once in a while what Skip was thinkin' of doin', it might help along; but I won't ask it in case you're 'fraid, 'cause I don't want ter get any other feller in a scrape."
"I'll do all I can, Carrots; an' now I reckon I'd better be goin'. Mother told me I must come home to-night."
"All right, old man. Be sure, when you get on the street, that Skip ain't watchin' so's to find out where you've been."
"He can't be 'round here, 'cause I went up to supper first, an' walked right down from the house without seein' him."
Then Teenie took his departure, and the victims of Master Skip's wrath were left alone to discuss the situation, which was certainly beginning to look serious for them.
"Now what do you think 'bout it?" Carrots asked, after seeing Teenie over the fence.
"Well, I don't see as it's any different from what it was before. We knew he was bound to drive me away, an' it wasn't likely he'd stop after what little he's done. Now, Carrots, there's jest this much about it: you wouldn't be in any fuss with him if it wasn't for me, an' you can square things up this very minute by sayin' you've shook me. Why not do it?"
"'Cause I kind er like you, Teddy, an' then, ag'in, I wouldn't give Skip the satisfaction of knowin' he'd made me do what he wanted."
"Better that than have to go out of the business."
"I sha'n't do anything of the kind. I reckon you an' I can fix things up somehow, an' I'll tell you what I'd like, Teddy. It seems as if you knew how to manage better'n I, an' why wouldn't it be a good idea to go inter pardnership? I can earn as much money in pleasant weather blackin' boots as you will by sellin' papers, an' I'll 'gree not to spend a cent more'n you. You shall take care of the cash, an' say what we'll have for grub, an' all that sort of thing."