g
swell as I be now. Aint it rich?" and Dick burst into a loud laugh.
His fancy was tickled by the anticipation of his friend's surprise.
Then the thought of the valuable gifts he had received occurred to
him, and he looked gratefully at Frank.

"You're a brick," he said.

"A what?"

"A brick! You're a jolly good fellow to give me such a present."

"You're quite welcome, Dick," said Frank, kindly. "I'm better off
than you are, and I can spare the clothes just as well as not. You
must have a new hat though. But that we can get when we go out. The
old clothes you can make into a bundle."

"Wait a minute till I get my handkercher," and Dick pulled from the
pocket of the pants a dirty rag, which might have been white once,
though it did not look like it, and had apparently once formed a
part of a sheet or shirt.

"You mustn't carry that," said Frank.

"But I've got a cold," said Dick.

"Oh, I don't mean you to go without a handkerchief. I'll give you
one."

Frank opened his trunk and pulled out two, which he gave to Dick.

"I wonder if I aint dreamin'," said Dick, once more surveying
himself doubtfully in the glass. "I'm afraid I'm dreamin', and shall
wake up in a barrel, as I did night afore last."

"Shall I pinch you so you can wake here?" asked Frank, playfully.

"Yes," said Dick, seriously, "I wish you would."

He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket, and Frank pinched him pretty
hard, so that Dick winced.

"Yes, I guess I'm awake," said Dick; "you've got a pair of nippers,
you have. But what shall I do with my brush and blacking?" he asked.

"You can leave them here till we come back," said Frank. "They will
be safe."

"Hold on a minute," said Dick, surveying Frank's boots with a
professional eye, "you aint got a good shine on them boots. I'll
make 'em shine so you can see your face in 'em."

And he was as good as his word.

"Thank you," said Frank; "now you had better brush your own shoes."

This had not occurred to Dick, for in general the professional
boot-black considers his blacking too valuable to expend on his
own shoes or boots, if he is fortunate enough to possess a pair.

The two boys now went downstairs together. They met the same servant
who had spoken to Dick a few minutes before, but there was no
recognition.

"He don't know me," said Dick. "He thinks I'm a young swell like
you."

"What's a swell?"

"Oh, a feller that wears nobby clothes like you."

"And you, too, Dick."