t than he calculated," went on Dr. Swift
with a twinkle in his eye, "why, so much the better. He is that much
to the good."

"I'd rather finish my school year, Mother," rejoined Theo.

"Well, apparently it is two against one," smiled Mrs. Swift. "Your
father is, of course, a far better judge of your condition than
I. Broken bones are in his line. But do be careful, son, and not go
skipping on and off cars when they are moving, or doing things that
are going to worry me."

"Rest easy, Mother. I'll promise not to take any chances," Theo
replied promptly. "I am far too eager to get well. It is no fun to be
hobbling about. Besides, I want to be in trim to go to the Croydens as
soon as school is over."

"Your father says Mr. Croyden was very kind to you while you were in
camp."

"He was bully!"

"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,