ss."

After this attempt at consolation Seth parted with his companions, and
ten minutes later was standing before 'Lish Davis on the lower floor of
Ninety-four's house.

"Well, what have you done with your firebug?" the driver asked, and such
of the men as were idle gathered around to hear the conversation.

"We've shipped Sam Barney, an' Jip's gone down Thirty-fourth Street way
sellin' papers."

"Do you allow he'll run straight after this?"

"I'm almost certain of it, Mr. Davis. He feels terrible bad, an' if Sam
gives him the chance he'll show that he can be a decent feller."

"I hope so, because I hate to see a boy go wrong. Do you know, Amateur,
that what's done while you're young hangs on after you get to be a man.
Then, when you're getting along swimmingly, up comes somebody and tells
of the mean trick you played when you was a kid. It always counts
against a man. Now, I ain't saying that your firebug won't pull out of
this, but he's taking the chances that it'll be thrown up in his face a
hundred times 'twixt now and the next ten years, however straight he
walks. If a boy would only bear that in mind I allow he'd be a heap more
careful about what he did. Howsomever, you ain't here for a lecture of
that kind, and what's more you don't need one. I allow you're counting
on that suit of clothes?"

"I s'posed that was what you wanted me to come for, sir."

"Well, it was, Amateur, it was; and if you'll go upstairs and look on my
bed you'll find the togs laid out there. Put 'em on, and come down to
show us how you look."

"Are they new clothes, sir?"

"Of course they are. You don't allow that when this 'ere company takes
it into their heads to fit out a kid they're going to do it on
second-hand rigging, do you?"

"I only asked the question 'cause I thought perhaps if they was all new
I'd better wash my face an' hands first."

"That's right, Amateur; fix yourself out the best you know how. We want
to see what kind of a looking kid we've taken on our hands."

Instead of immediately acting upon his own suggestion Seth hesitated,
and after a moment the driver asked:

"What are you hanging in the wind now for? Got anything on your mind?"

"I'd like to know, sir, if I'm to be allowed to pay for these clothes
when I get so I can earn money enough?"

"Bless your heart, Amateur, when you're regularly in the Department you
shall come up and square the bills with Ninety-four if it so be you're
inclined; if not,