Part 16 (2/2)

He drummed on theto help you ly

The ht you would,” was his quick response ”If at the end of your college career you find yourself with any such notion, sonny, you'll be very welcolance at the boy Mr Croyden strode off into the s-car

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XII

THEO MAKES A PRESENT

There was great rejoicing when Theo and his father reached hoh for her boy The whole house was turned upside down to make him comfortable, and on the dinner table were all his favorite dishes

”To see your ile invalid just out of the hospital rather than a husky young carowled the Doctor ”My dear,” he continued, addressing his wife, ”Theo hasn't had as much attention as this in all the time he has been ill Croyden and I have not pranced round after him, I assure you He has had to brace up and bear his troubles like a soldier; and he has done it, too”

”I suppose soldiers do have to be pretty patient,” reht before how hard it must be for thereat tests of courage,” said Dr Swift ”We all are liable to think of soldiers only when the dru Then it see to be a soldier But there is ery is attached to a soldier's life, and frequently a great deal of suffering One of the tests of a hero is to be patient when there is nothing to do but await orders, or perfor on a sick-bed Then you find out very quickly the sort of stuff your est heroes Often the noblest and most helpful men are those who themselves are not only cheerful under monotony and dullness, but aid their comrades to be so Therefore, Theo, when you took it upon yourself to bear your troubles in the Maine woods bravely you proved you had the first essential of a good soldier”

Theo flushed with pleasure

”That is e cannot have youryour virtuous deeds,” continued the Doctor whimsically ”We must make her realize she has a man and not a baby to deal with Theo is no invalid, Louisa On the contrary, he is going right to school to-morrow”

”Not with those crutches!” protested Mrs Swift

”Why not? He has the term to finish, and certainly you would not have hiht It is only a feeeks to the last of June The fishi+ng trip was a vacation; and if he got more vacation out of it than he calculated,” went on Dr Sith a twinkle in his eye, ”why, so ood”

”I'd rather finish my school year, Mother,” rejoined Theo

”Well, apparently it is two against one,” smiled Mrs Swift ”Your father is, of course, a far better judge of your condition than I Broken bones are in his line But do be careful, son, and not go skipping on and off cars when they areto worry me”

”Rest easy, Mother I'll promise not to take any chances,” Theo replied proet well It is no fun to be hobbling about Besides, I want to be in trio to the Croydens as soon as school is over”

”Your father says Mr Croyden was very kind to you while you were in camp”

”He was bully!”

”It would be nice if you could do so to show that you appreciated it,” observed Mrs Swift vaguely

Instantly Theo caught at the suggestion