he time and ever afterwards for opening his eyes to
the possibilities of the boy in fiction--and fact.

Two days in the hospital was enough for William. He gave his ultimatum
to Ma and Pa after the mayor had called upon Lucien and himself to
express admiration "on behalf of the citizens of Toronto," and informed
them that they were to be presented with gold watches "as a permanent
token of appreciation of their bravery."

William insisted on going home that day. "Another day here," he said,
"with bunches of people buttin' in and slobberin' over me, and I'm a
dead one. Besides! it was all Lucien; I'm no bloomin' hero."

Lucien was sick of it too, but, because his injuries were the more
serious, he had perforce to stay a little longer in the hospital.

The presentation of the watches was made in the mayor's office one week
after the fire. It was a painful ceremony, so far as the boys were
concerned, and they were immensely relieved when the last word had been
said, and their admiring parents were allowed to proudly escort them to
their respective homes.

CHAPTER XXI

It required the combined efforts of Whimple, Epstein, and Watson to
persuade William to take a two weeks' holiday before returning to work.
He didn't want to go to the country: knew he would die after two days
there: was positive he was as strong and as able to work as he ever had
been: and, in short, he wouldn't go. Watson wormed the truth out of
him after an hour's private talk. "I'm just crazy about keeping up my
lessons with Mister Epstein," said William, finally; "I feel that I
can't afford to miss one; I wanter be something, Tommy, and I'm finding
out every day how much of a dub I am."

Tommy suppressed a strong desire to whoop; the spirit of the lad was so
manifest; his earnestness so marked. But, as calmly as possible, he
said, "Don't worry on that score, William, a rest will do you good.
Besides, if you go where Mr. Whimple wants you to, you'll not miss a
great deal. I know the boys in that family. They're clean; they have
a good library, and--oh well, you go! Remember the proverb: 'It's
better to go slow sometimes, than to hustle all the time.'"

William was back at work two weeks before Lucien, who, on leaving the
hospital, had also gone to the country. The boys greeted each other
cordially the day Lucien returned, and spent some time, on the first
opportunity afforded, in recounting their experiences. Lucien told his
in