They were talking in the small sitting-room after supper that evening, when there came a knock on the door. “I’ll go,” said Tom, and when he opened the portal there stood Dr. Spidderkins. “Does Tom Baldwin----” he began, when he saw the boy who had been of such service to him. “Why, of course, there you are,” he finished. “I guess I must have knocked at half a dozen houses. You see I wrote your address down in a book, and then I forgot what book I had written it in. But I called up Mr. Boise and, fortunately, he remembered it. I have come to thank you for what you did for me.” “Come in,” invited Tom, and he ushered the guest into the modest sitting-room. “This is my mother, Dr. Spidderkins,” he said, “and my aunt, Miss Ramsey.” “Ramsey--Ramsey----” repeated the physician. “Why, I used to know a Ramsey family. Let me see, there was a Jeanette Ramsey--and a Sallie Ramsey--and--why, bless my soul--you’re Jeanette Ramsey, aren’t you?” and he looked at Tom’s mother. “That was my name before I was married. But is this the Dr. Spidderkins that used to live in Lowell?” “The very same. Bless my soul! I suppose I’ve grown so old you wouldn’t know me, but I’d remember you anywhere,” said the doctor gallantly, with a bow to the ladies. “Bless my soul! To think of meeting you again, after all these years. Tom, you young rascal, why didn’t you tell me your mother was Jeanette Ramsey, with whom I used to play when I was a boy, though I was ever so much older than she was?” “You never asked me,” replied Tom. The doctor spent a pleasant evening with his former friends, talking over old times. “I heard Tom speak of a Dr. Spidderkins,” said Mrs. Baldwin, “but I did not know it was the one I used to know.” “Well, well, this is a strange world,” mused the old gentleman. “But I am nearly forgetting what I came for, in the excitement of meeting you two ladies again. Tom, I want to show my appreciation of what you did for me. I understand from Mr. Boise that you want to study law. There is no better profession in the world. Now I am going to send you to college and then to a law school. I expect you to graduate with honors, and then you can look after my legal business for me, for I am getting to have such a bad memory that I need a guardian. Will you go, Tom?” Tom was silent a moment. The offer was so unexpected that it nearly took his breath away. He had never dreamed of such advancement. “Well,” asked Dr. Spidderkins, inquiringly, “I hope you don’t prefer being a telephone boy to becoming a lawyer?” “Oh, no. If I could study law I think I would like it better than anything else.” “Then you shall study law,” went on the doctor firmly. “It’s the least I can do for you, after you saved my fortune for me. After you graduate I shall see that you do not lack for practice.