Part 32 (1/2)

”Why?” asked d.i.c.k, in some surprise. ”Have you been offered a more loocrative position?”

”No,” said Fosd.i.c.k, ”but I find I have taught you all I know myself.

You are now as good a scholar as I am.”

”Is that true?” said d.i.c.k, eagerly, a flush of gratification coloring his brown cheek.

”Yes,” said Fosd.i.c.k. ”You've made wonderful progress. I propose, now that evening schools have begun, that we join one, and study together through the winter.”

”All right,” said d.i.c.k. ”I'd be willin' to go now; but when I first began to study I was ashamed to have anybody know that I was so ignorant. Do you really mean, Fosd.i.c.k, that I know as much as you?”

”Yes, d.i.c.k, it's true.”

”Then I've got you to thank for it,” said d.i.c.k, earnestly. ”You've made me what I am.”

”And haven't you paid me, d.i.c.k?”

”By payin' the room-rent,” said d.i.c.k, impulsively. ”What's that? It isn't half enough. I wish you'd take half my money; you deserve it.”

”Thank you, d.i.c.k, but you're too generous. You've more than paid me.

Who was it took my part when all the other boys imposed upon me? And who gave me money to buy clothes, and so got me my situation?”

”Oh, that's nothing!” said d.i.c.k.

”It's a great deal, d.i.c.k. I shall never forget it. But now it seems to me you might try to get a situation yourself.”

”Do I know enough?”

”You know as much as I do.”

”Then I'll try,” said d.i.c.k, decidedly.

”I wish there was a place in our store,” said Fosd.i.c.k. ”It would be pleasant for us to be together.”

”Never mind,” said d.i.c.k; ”there'll be plenty of other chances.

P'r'aps A. T. Stewart might like a partner. I wouldn't ask more'n a quarter of the profits.”

”Which would be a very liberal proposal on your part,” said Fosd.i.c.k, smiling. ”But perhaps Mr. Stewart might object to a partner living on Mott Street.”

”I'd just as lieves move to Fifth Avenoo,” said d.i.c.k. ”I aint got no prejudices in favor of Mott Street.”

”Nor I,” said Fosd.i.c.k, ”and in fact I have been thinking it might be a good plan for us to move as soon as we could afford. Mrs. Mooney doesn't keep the room quite so neat as she might.”

”No,” said d.i.c.k. ”She aint got no prejudices against dirt. Look at that towel.”

d.i.c.k held up the article indicated, which had now seen service nearly a week, and hard service at that,--d.i.c.k's avocation causing him to be rather hard on towels.

”Yes,” said Fosd.i.c.k, ”I've got about tired of it. I guess we can find some better place without having to pay much more. When we move, you must let me pay my share of the rent.”

”We'll see about that,” said d.i.c.k. ”Do you propose to move to Fifth Avenoo?”