During the next few days many a surprise awaited Peter Strong. When he went to pay Mrs. Jackson's weekly rent he was told by the landlord that the account had already been settled, and the rent paid three months in advance. A gentleman had paid it. No, the landlord did not know who it was. In addition to this good fortune Mrs. Jackson astonished the boy still further by dangling before his gaze a substantial check which she said had come from the Coddington Company with a kind note of sympathy. The check was to be used for defraying expenses during the illness of her son. Peter had no difficulty in guessing the source of this generosity. Nor was this all. Nat scrawled him an incoherent note that bubbled with delight; he had been promoted to the finishing department, and henceforth was to receive a much larger salary! That night Peter went home a very happy boy. It seemed as if there was not room for any more good things to be packed into a single day; but when at evening a crate came marked with his name, and on investigation it proved to contain the long-coveted motorcycle, Peter's joy knew no bounds. "Do you suppose now that your chum Strong could let Peter Coddington return to school?" was his father's unexpected question. Peter stopped short. It was a long time before he spoke; then he said slowly: "Father, I don't think there is a Peter Coddington any more. There's only Peter Strong, and he is so interested in his work and in doing real things that you couldn't coax him to go to school if you tried--especially since he has just been given a new motorcycle!" Mr. Coddington rubbed his hands together as he always did when he was pleased. "You must not decide hastily, Peter," urged he. "Take a week to think carefully about it and then tell me your decision." "But I know now!" cried Peter. "A little while ago I thought the tannery the most awful place in the world; I hated the smell of it and the very sight of the leather. But somehow I do not feel that way now. I did not realize this until you spoke the other day of my leaving and going back to school; then I was surprised to discover that, when I thought it all over, I did not want to go back. Work can be fun--even hard work--if all the time you know that you are doing something real--something that is needed and that helps. If you don't mind, Father, I'd rather stay in the tannery and aid Peter Strong to work up." "Do you still insist on Peter Strong's doing the climbing? Why not give Peter Coddington a chance?" "I'd rather not, sir. It was Peter Strong who began at the foot of the ladder, and I want him to be the one to reach the top if he can; it is only fair. Please don't spoil it now by crowding Peter Coddington into his place."