"Well, I've sworn off now. I don't b'lieve in puttin' on frills anyhow, an' all this talk 'bout water makin' you feel good is all in your eye. If we've got to earn ten dollars in ten days, I reckon it'll take all my time shinin', 'stead of tryin' to look so mighty fine that a man'd think I wouldn't dare to pull the stopper out er a blackin'-bottle for fear of smuttin' my fingers. I s'pose if I lived on a farm, same's you did, I'd wash when I saw the others, an' then it wouldn't come so unhandy. That's where I wish I was now—in the country," he added, as he clasped his hands around one knee and rocked himself to and fro on the impromptu bed.
"You wouldn't wish that very long if you had one taste of it."
"I ain't so sure of that. I tell you, when a feller's got a bed to get inter, an' plenty of stuff to eat, it's a pretty soft snap. I'd like to try it 'bout a month."
"That would be long enough," Teddy said; and then, by way of putting an end to the conversation, he nestled into the straw as if to go to sleep.
Carrots moved about very gingerly, as if his whole nature had been changed by the washing of his face.
At last he blew out the candle, snuffed the glowing end with his thumb and finger, and followed his friend's example.
Next morning Carrots was aroused by the sun shining upon his face, and, after awakening his friend, he explained why it was necessary for them to leave the packing-case home at such an early hour.
From the Company's funds was spent sufficient to buy two bowls of soup; and then, advised by Carrots, Teddy agreed to remain in the vicinity of South Ferry, rather than to make an attempt to do business around City Hall Park, until Master Jellison's anger should have had time to subside.
"I'll see you when you come up for the afternoon papers," Carrots said as they parted. "But you can count on my hustlin' the best I know how toward gettin' to-day's share of the ten dollars."