Tom had no views on the subject and so asked about Sidney’s injury. “Doc says I can go out in three or four days. He’s a bit of an old granny, I think. I wish _he_ had to sit around here with his shoulder done up in a vise! And after I get out I’m not to use that arm for nearly two weeks. Hang it, by the time I can do anything they’ll have the hockey team all made up!” And he kicked disgustedly at the wrapping paper which had fallen from his knees. “A fellow was in here this afternoon and he said the ice was bully. Say, do you folks keep hockey sticks?” “No, just skates,” said Tom. “I should think you would. You’d sell a lot of them. The only place where you can get them is Merrill’s. Why don’t you get Cummings and Wright to keep them?” “I’ll speak to Mr. Cummings about it,” said Tom. “We got a lot of dandy--dandy--what are those things you slide down the snow on? The things that are like sleds without any runners?” “Toboggans? By jiminy, that’s what I’ll ask the folks to get me for Christmas! Some day I’ll come down and have a look at them. Are you generally there after school?” “Yes, unless they send me on an errand. I have to trot around a good deal.” Tom arose, still tightly clutching his hat. “I guess I’d better be going now,” he added. “Oh, hold on! Don’t go yet. It isn’t late, is it?” “It’s after nine,” said Tom. “That’s early. And you don’t have to get home until you want to.” “I--I’ve got some studying to do,” responded Tom. He really wanted to stay, but feared Mrs. Morris would think he was overdoing it. “Well,” said Sidney regretfully, “if you have to! Will you take this other pair back or shall I send them to-morrow?” “I’ll take them,” said Tom. “It’s no bother.” “All right. Tell them to charge the other pair to my father, please. Thanks for bringing them. And say, what are you doing to-morrow night?” “Doing? Just--just nothing particular, I guess.” “Well, can’t you drop in for awhile? I’ll do as much for you if you get laid up,” laughed Sidney. “I wish you would, honest! You don’t know how tired a fellow gets of just reading. I’ve got my lessons up to next week some time, I guess, and I’ve read every book in sight. Some of the fellows come in now and then, but they don’t want to stay more than a minute. I don’t blame them, though; there’s too much doing.” “I’d like to very much,” answered Tom, “if--if your mother thinks I ought to.” “Of course she does! Don’t you, Mumsie?” Mrs. Morris entered at that moment. “Don’t you think he ought to come around to-morrow evening and see me!” explained Sidney. “I think we’d all be very glad if he would,” responded Mrs. Morris kindly. “Perhaps, though, he has too much to do, dear.” “No’m, I haven’t, and I’d like to come very much.” “That’s the ticket! Come early and we’ll have a fine long chin. Say, Mumsie, what do you suppose he does? Works in Cummings and Wright’s and makes money to pay for his room and board! What do you know about that?”