y, and so you must, or he'll think you're funny."

"Well, all right." It was important that Mr. Perkins should not think
him funny, lest that invitation to become a scout be withdrawn.

That night, so soon as Big Tom was asleep, Johnnie made his first trip
to the roof; and understood, the moment he emerged from the little house
which was built over the top of the stairs, why Mr. Perkins had
recommended it as being more desirable than the street. Of course it
was! The confinement of the past week or more helped to emphasize its
good points. Ah, this was a place to breathe! to exercise! Above all,
what a place from which to see! With the night wind in his hair, and
swelling the big shirt, Johnnie stood, high and lonely, like Crusoe on
his island, looking up and around, enchanted.

How much sky there was!--joined to his own square. The clouds, enormous
and beautiful, had plenty of space in which to drift about, by turns
hiding and uncovering the stars. Lifted almost into those clouds were
the spars of ships, the tallest of the city's buildings, the black
lace-work of two bridges. Oh, how big, how strange--yes, and even how
far removed--seemed this New York of the night!

When he could say good-by to the flat for the last time, could leave it
behind him forever, oh, how many sights there would be for him to see in
this great city! "I'll just go and go!" he promised himself. "In ev'ry
direction! And look and look and look!" Going had brought him One-Eye's
friendship, and Mr. Perkins's. Somewhere in all those miles of roofs
were other friends, just waiting to be found.

The cold in the night wind cut short his reflections. He fell to
exercising, and drinking in big draughts of the sea air; then hastened
down on soft foot to his bed. Cis was waiting in her door to see him
come, and he knew she had been anxious, and thoroughly resented it.

"I didn't hurt the old roof," he whispered. But he felt very happy, in
spite of his irritation, and genuinely sorry for any boy who did not
have a roof.

Every morning now he enjoyed his splash in the tub; every night he
glorified in his taste of the real outdoors. On the following Sunday, he
combined the two pleasures. Big Tom was in and out all day, making it
impossible for Johnnie to bathe even in the seclusion of Cis's tiny
room, which she generously offered to loan him for the ceremony. He did
not accept her offer. He was as sure as ever that Barber would not only
put a stop to a