lt. Father told me the other day to let that ladder alone--and I
didn't. It serves me right to break my leg. If I had been in Dad's
place I'd have said: _I told you so_. But he didn't even whisper
it. He was just patient and kind as he always is. Can't you understand
now, Mr. Croyden, that I am the one to be punished--not Dad? If we go
back home it will be punishing him too, and that wouldn't be fair,
would it?"

"No, not fair at all," admitted Mr. Croyden slowly.

"That is what I think," nodded Theo. "You see, I am the one to
suffer."

"If you disobeyed, I guess you are."

"I did disobey."

"Humph! It was a pity."

"I'm sorry; but it is done now," said Theo soberly. "You know how you
feel when you've done wrong. It's bad enough anyhow; and it makes you
feel a hundred times worse if somebody else gets the blame for what
you've done--somebody who doesn't deserve it."

"Yes."

"So, you see, that is why I want you to urge Father to stay on here,"
begged Theo. "Tell him the Maine air will do me good; tell him I'll
get a fine rest keeping still; tell him--oh, tell him _anything_; only
don't let him pack up and go home, and have his whole vacation
spoiled. If you'll just get him to stay, Mr. Croyden, I will promise
not to bother, and he can go off every day and fish just as if I
weren't here."

"You are a trump, Theo."

"It--it is only that I think it's square, sir," faltered Theo.

There was not time for further discussion, for at this juncture the
door opened and Dr. Swift, followed by Manuel, entered.

Theo knew the moment for his boasted heroism had come.

He shut his lips tightly, and although the interval of anguish which
followed forced the tears from his eyes he made no outcry. But never
in his life had he experienced such pain. He did not know there was
such pain in all the world.

When it was over and, faint from suffering, he lay languidly back
among the pillows, Dr. Swift's stern face relaxed, and it was then
Theo realized for the first time that his father, too, had been
bracing himself to meet the ordeal and had also been suffering.

"My poor boy!" was all the Doctor said. "You have borne it like a
man! I am proud of you, Theo."

The words were few, but the praise was at that moment very precious.

His father sat with him the remainder of the day, as well as a good
part of the night, and during the wakeful hours when the boy tossed to
and fro he would have ventured to speak about staying i