Tim and Tip

by James Otis

That night Tim was escorted to the steamer by a large number of boys, and while he was on the wharf he felt reasonably brave, even though he was obliged to pass directly in front of Captain Pratt. But when the steamer left the dock, and the cheers of the boys died away in the distance, he fully expected to be summoned to the wheel-house.

But Captain Pratt paid no attention to him, and on the following day Selman was reached without any incident worthy of mention.

There Tim was never exactly certain how the matter was arranged. He knew that he was taken into court almost as if he had been a criminal, that many questions were asked him by the judge, and that a number of gentlemen whom he knew told of the ill-treatment he had received from Captain Babbige.

Then it seemed as if Mr. Tucker had been accused of something, for he told about his business and himself, and showed a great number of letters from people on Minchin’s Island, all speaking of him as a kind and good man.

Captain Babbige was there, apparently in a very uncomfortable frame of mind, and he spoke to Tim in the kindest manner possible, asking if he hadn’t always treated him as a son.

Tim was not sure how fathers did treat sons, except in one or two cases; but he told the captain of what he had said about wanting him to die, and then coaxed the judge—oh, so hard!—to let him go back with Mr. Tucker.

Then some other people had a good deal to say, and the judge talked some more; after they were all through Mr. Tucker told Tim it had been decided he could go back to Minchin’s Island.

Tim’s delight was so great that it seemed impossible for him to keep his feet on the ground, and when he was back at the island again, in the midst of the crowd of boys who had come to welcome him for the second time, his joy found vent in words.

And when Tim got into Mr. Tucker’s house, where Bobby cheered until he was hoarse, and Mrs. Tucker kissed him again and again, he found it impossible even to speak, because of a great lump in his throat, which was not caused by sorrow; but he said over and over again to himself that no one should regret in the man what they had done for the homeless orphan boy.