“No’m; at least, they ain’t--aren’t called hockey skates. We have regular hockey skates here; two kinds. They cost more, though. These are five dollars and a quarter and these are six.” “But they’re quite different, aren’t they?” she said perplexedly. “Yes’m. These they call tubular.” “Which are the best?” “I don’t know, ma’am. I never played hockey.” “Really? Don’t you skate, either?” “Yes’m, but I don’t have much time. I go to school from half-past eight to three and other times I work here.” “High school, do you mean?” “Yes’m.” “Then perhaps you know my boy?” she said eagerly. “No’m, I know him by sight, that’s all. It was too bad his getting hurt in that game.” “Wasn’t it? You see, it kept him out of the big game and he was quite heart-broken about it. Of course his father and I aren’t very happy when he’s playing, but Mr. Morris insists that it’s a fine thing for him, and Sidney himself loves it.” “I--I hope he’s getting on all right, ma’am,” said Tom. “Oh, yes, thank you, he’s doing very well. I wish you knew him. He’s rather a nice boy----” “Yes’m, he’s awfully popular at school.” “And,” continued Mrs. Morris smilingly, “you seem a very nice boy, too. I think you ought to know each other.” Tom blushed a little. “Yes’m; I mean thank you,” he murmured. Mrs. Morris laughed softly again. Tom liked that laugh of hers immensely, it was so sort of happy and kind and friendly. “Well,” she said, “we haven’t decided about the skates, have we? Perhaps the best thing to do is to have you send both pairs around and let Sidney take his choice. Could you send them this evening?” “I--I’m afraid not,” answered Tom, glancing at the clock and knowing that the last delivery had left the store a half-hour ago. Mrs. Morris’s face fell. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I did want him to have them to-night. He’s been so--so unhappy and grumpy to-day, you see. But perhaps I could take them myself if you did them up.” “They’d be pretty heavy,” demurred Tom. “If--if you’ll let me, I’ll bring them myself after I get through.” “Oh, I wouldn’t think of troubling you! We live quite a distance. I dare say to-morrow will do just as well.” “I wouldn’t mind doing it a bit,” said Tom eagerly. “I--I’d be glad to!” “Really? That’s very kind of you. If you’re quite certain it won’t be too much trouble, I’d love to have you. Besides, I want you to know my boy, and it will do him good to have someone of his own sort to talk to for a little while.” “Oh, I wasn’t thinking of going in!” declared Tom in a mild panic.