Rusty grinned, gulped and broke into chuckles. “I spent it, dear one,” he giggled. “And ’twas well-spent, believe thouest me! Listen and I’ll tell you—Hold on, though! Who buys the chocolate? Honest, I’m far too faint to narrate this moving tale. Have a heart, Blash!”
“I’m busted, son. Honest!”
Dick produced a few silver coins and some pennies. “I’ll be the goat,” he said, “but someone else must do the buying. I wouldn’t stir from here for a thousand dollars; even if I could, which I can’t with Stan sitting on my shoulder.”
“Give me the pelf,” volunteered Stanley, with a sigh. “Which way do I go?”
“Forward,” advised Rusty. “I saw him going through ten minutes ago. Better hurry, too, for he didn’t appear to be overstocked.”
Stanley went wearily away along the crowded aisle and Blash reminded Rusty of the tale. “Go on,” he said, “and let’s hear your criminal adventures.”
“Wait till Stan comes back. Don’t I tell you I’m faint from want of food? Besides, Stan’s going to enjoy this yarn. Jumping Jehosophat, I wish we were home and I was eating my supper! Isn’t anyone else starved?”
“We all are,” said Blash, “only we don’t—don’t wear our stomachs on our sleeves!”
Dick laughed and Rusty shook his head wonderingly. “The kid is clever,” he murmured. “Ah, here he comes! Empty-handed, by jiminy! No, he bears succor! A-a-y, Gard! Sweet youth, I bid you welcome! Where’s mine? Wha-a-at? Only three cakes for all that money I supplied you with? What do you know—Oh, well, I’ll try to worry along on this. Folks, that tastes good! Now then, lend me your ears and everything and I’ll narrate to you the story of The Careful Spender and the Helpful Friend.”