ed along without
giving him a thought. What marvel, therefore, that he attached himself
eagerly to any person who was kind and willing to bother with him?

It had not taken him long to sift out those who tolerated him from
motives of pity or policy and those who really liked him, and he was not
a little proud to class in the latter group both Mr. Rhinehart and the
Scotchman, McPhearson. Mr. Rhinehart not only had boys of his own but
was in addition enough of a boy himself to be dowered with a keen
sympathy and understanding of them.

McPhearson, on the other hand, was a solitary creature whose forlornity
prompted him to take with gladness any hand stretched out to him. He
lived alone in dingy bachelor quarters, where, save for his books and
his flute, he had few companions. Therefore he came to look forward to
Christopher's daily visits with an even greater degree of anticipation
than did the lad himself.

"I've got to go out to-day," was his greeting when Christopher made his
appearance on a cold December morning.

The boy's face fell.

"What do you say to coming with me? Would your father be willing?"

"Oh, he wouldn't care. Where are you going?"

"Out to Morningside Drive to look at a clock that they want me to see."

"When are you leaving?"

"Right away. I was waiting a second or two to see if you'd put in an
appearance."

"That was awfully good of you. I'll get my coat."

"You'd better ask your father."

"Don't worry. He'll think it's all right."

"Still, I'd rather you asked him."

"If it will make you any easier in your mind, I will. It won't take a
second."

Off rushed Christopher, only to return breathless a moment or two later.

"Dad says I can go as long as it's with you. And he told me to tell you
we needn't rush the trip. Here's money for our fares."

Christopher extended a fresh new bill.

"Pooh! Pooh! Nonsense!" growled McPhearson. "We'll not need that. I've
money enough. Besides, we're only going in the bus."

"No matter. Dad said--"

"Come along," interrupted the Scotchman, catching up his bag of tools
and cutting short further discussion. "If we stand here arguing we shall
never get off at all."

Docilely Christopher followed him into the street where amid surging
crowds they hailed the bus and began rolling up the avenue.

"New York couldn't get along very well without clocks, could it?"
commented Christopher, as he looked down upon the maelstrom of hurrying
humanity.

"