"It would be nice if you could do something to show that you appreciated it," observed Mrs. Swift vaguely. Instantly Theo caught at the suggestion. "I wish I could!" he declared. "Can't you think of something, Mother?" Mrs. Swift paused a moment. "It would be of no use to do anything unless it was something you did yourself," she said at last. "Of course your father and I could give you the money to buy a present; but after all that would be our present and not yours." "Oh, a gift we bought would not be of the slightest use," cut in Dr. Swift. "It would spoil the whole idea. Either Theo would have to purchase something with his own money----" "I have only saved a dollar out of my allowance," interrupted Theo dubiously. "Or he would have to do something, or make something, for Mr. Croyden," concluded the Doctor. "I don't see what I could do," mused Theo. "You couldn't make anything, son?" asked his mother. "Nothing good enough," responded Theo, shaking his head. "Don't they teach you how to make anything at school?" "No, sir." "All head and no hands, I suppose," retorted Dr. Swift scornfully. "That is the way with our modern educational system. It is a poor plan on which to bring up a boy. I wish I had realized it before. Louisa, why didn't you see to this?" blustered the Doctor. "You picked out Theo's studies yourself, my dear." "I?" "Certainly. You took the outline and checked off the things you wished Theo to take this year." "You did, Father," put in Theo. "When did I do it?" "Oh, one day when you were on your way to a hospital meeting," answered the boy. "You were in a hurry, and you stood out in the hall and marked the list with your fountain-pen." "Then I am heartily ashamed of myself," confessed Dr. Swift candidly. "I had no right to do anything of the sort. I should have sat down and put some thought into the matter. Do you suppose it would be too late, son, for you to change your course of study this term?" "I shouldn't want to change it much, Dad," replied Theo. "I'd be sorry to give up any of the things I am taking, for I have worked hard at them and it would be discouraging to have my time all thrown away. But perhaps now that I am knocked out of athletics I might put those extra hours into something else. Some of the boys take sloyd." "The very thing!" exclaimed the Doctor. "Manual training is just what we're after. You would enjoy it, too." "I don't know whether I would or not, Dad," returned Theo frankly. "I never was much good with tools. I like athletics better."