arned came the last part of June, and
as on that date school ended he had only a short time to make his
present. Not only must the pieces be cut and nailed together but
there was all the finishing, glueing, and varnishing. In addition an
interval was also necessary for drying. Therefore it was imperative
that he set about his task as soon as possible.

Yet day after day went by and the wood did not come.

Theo was almost beside himself.

First he was merely impatient, then angry, then discouraged.

It was not until he had about given up hope of being able to complete
the rack that the wood arrived. The pieces were beautifully grained,
and when Theo beheld them he could in his mind's eye see the
bookshelves shaped, smoothed, and rubbed down. He must finish the gift
if he toiled nights as well as days! It is doubtful if ever a boy
worked as hard or as anxiously as did Theo during the next two
weeks. And as his creation took form how happy he was! He cut the
three shelves, shaped the ends of the rack, and under his teacher's
direction carved on a jig-saw the simple ornament which was to
decorate the top. Never in his whole life had he enjoyed making
anything so much. Then came the day when the final coat of oil was
applied and there was nothing more to do but wait until it dried. But
the work had required more time than Theo had anticipated, and
therefore it was not until the very afternoon before Mr. Croyden's
birthday that the shelves were dry enough to be packed. Dr. Swift's
motor came to the school that day to get Theo, and the boy himself
proudly carried his masterpiece out to the car and put it inside; then
springing in he called to the chauffeur to drive home. Arriving at his
own abode Theo leaped up the brown stone steps with quick stride and
rang the bell; then as he stood waiting for the door to be opened a
sudden recollection overwhelmed him. In his eagerness to display his
handiwork to his parents he had entirely forgotten his crutches! They
were at school, and he now remembered he had not used them since
morning.

His father laughed heartily when Theo told him this.

"I guess that means you can do without crutches from now on, son," the
Doctor said.

"Does it mean that I may go to the Croydens', Dad?"

"I should say so," was the ready response. "I will call Mr. Croyden up
on the telephone and find out when he wants you to come. What a joke
it would be if you should go to Trenton and carry your bookra