Part 13 (1/2)
”I had money, but I didn't dare to spend it. I was afraid of having nothing left.”
When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more, but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in such a motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boys recruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the term street Arab might be applied.
The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Many of them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any were really bad.
Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boys felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he felt above them.
”Get on to de dude!” remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in a ragged s.h.i.+rt and tattered trousers.
”He means me, Mike,” said Rodney with a smile.
”I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin' me friend Rodney a dude?” demanded Mike angrily.
”Coz he's got a dandy suit on.”
”What if he has? Wouldn't you wear one like it if you could!”
”You bet!”
”Then just let him alone! He's just got back from de inauguration.”
”Where'd you pick him up, Mike?”
”Never mind! He's one of us. How much money have you got in your pocket Rodney?”
”Thirty two cents.”
”He can't put on no frills wid dat money.”
”That's so. I take it all back,” and Patsy offered a begrimed hand to Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him and he told his story in a few words.
”I used to be rich, boys,” he said, ”but my guardian spent all my money, and now I am as poor as any of you.”
”You'd ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney,” observed Mike.
”I wish you had. You wouldn't have lost my money for me.”
”True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney's guardian, what'll we do to him?”
”Give him de grand bounce,” suggested Patsy.
”Drop him out of a high winder,” said another.
”What's his name?”