y are equally willing
to cater to American and European demands, and to gratify our
inartistic public by sending into our markets all sorts of cheap,
gaudily decorated goods which they themselves would not tolerate. It
is a deplorable fact, too, that we buy them. Now you surely have got
your money's worth of lecture for to-night. If you are not tired, I
am. Good-night, sonny!"

"Good-night," called Theo as Mr. Croyden passed out, "and thank
you. I'm sorry you're tired. I am _not_. I could listen all over
again."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII

THE THIRD FAMOUS POTTER

Theo's crutches did not arrive as soon as he expected, both because of
the remoteness of the camp and a confusion in transportation.

Poor Theo! After getting his hopes up it was hard to be cheerful over
this disappointment, and the courage that until now had buoyed him up
suddenly began to fail.

"I just wish one of those miserable expressmen could have a broken leg
and then he'd see how good it is to be laid up like this," fretted the
boy indignantly.

"Oh, come, don't wish that!" Mr. Croyden protested laughing, "for if
you decree that the expressmen be disabled you will never get your
crutches."

"I suppose not," admitted Theo grudgingly. "But it is so irritating."

"I know that; still, it might be worse, Theo. You really are pretty
comfortable, you know."

"Yes."

"You are not suffering."

"No," murmured the lad, hanging his head.

"You have plenty to eat."

"Yes."

"And the food is good."

Theo flushed, but said nothing.

"There is many a boy worse off than you are."

"Probably."

"I guess your father could show you a score of them were you to
accompany him on one of his hospital rounds. Suppose, for example, you
were in pain every moment, and were never to walk again. That would be
a real calamity, and something to fuss about."

Theo raised his eyes.

"I know it, sir," he said instantly. "I'm afraid I have been pretty
grumpy and cross."

"No. Until now you have been most patient--phenomenally patient for a
lad who loves to be doing something every minute. It is precisely
because you have done so well that I'd like you to hold out a little
longer."

Theo's lip quivered; then suddenly his scowl melted into a mischievous
smile.

"I believe, Mr. Croyden, that you are as good at preaching as you are
at lecturing," he observed gaily.

Mr. Croyden nodded his head.

"You are one of the few persons, Theo,