"Then you won't help me?" added Scott, in sad tones.
"I shall be glad to help you. What can I do?"
"You can do a big thing for me—the greatest kindness that one good fellow ever did for another. You are generally very obliging, William Bobstay."
"What can I do for you?" asked Billy, much troubled at the thought of disobliging any one.
"You can help me spend my money," pleaded Scott. "I have always been willing to help any fellow in this way, even when he didn't have half as much in his trousers pocket as I have."
"O, nonsense, Tom Scott. You are making game of me!" laughed Billy.
"Making game of you, my beloved infant! I should like to see the fellow that would do it! I would make him up into Bologna sausages, and then make him eat them. You are going, my child, and I'm going to take care of you. Not another word; if you do it will choke you;" and Scott ran off to execute a little scheme of his own, no less than to take up a collection for the favorite.
"What's the matter?" asked Captain Cantwell, as Scott rushed by him.
The joker explained the situation, and said he was going to get up a subscription.
"Don't do it, Scott. I shall not go on shore this month, and you shall take my allowance for Billy. He shall go, and I will pay all his expenses."