"But it's a fine suit for me," said Tommy, when he was dressed in it. "I
guess it was lucky I fell in the water--I got some nice clothes by it."

"But don't fall in again even for that," said Mr. Bobbsey with a laugh.
"You may take cold yet."

But Tommy did not. One of Mr. Bobbsey's friends happened to stop at the
office on business, and, having a closed automobile, he offered to take
Tommy home, so the boy would not have to go out in the cold air after
his unexpected bath in the lake.

Bert and Harry, on coming back after their race to the lower end of the
lake, were surprised to learn what had happened to Tommy. And when he
had had enough of skating Bert said he would go and see if Tommy had
reached home safely, and if Mrs. Todd needed anything.

Bert and Harry, who went with him, found Tommy sitting near the fire in
the humble home near the city dumps.

"I'm glad I don't live here," said Harry, as he looked around before
entering the house.

"I am too," added Bert. "It isn't very nice. I suppose when Tommy's
father was alive they had things much nicer."

Tommy smiled at his two boy callers.

"This isn't working," he said. "And I ought to be at work, for it's
Saturday and I do most of my errands then. But grandmother thought I
ought to get warmed through before going out again."

"I guess that's right," said Bert. "How is your grandmother? Father told
me to ask."

"She isn't very well," Tommy answered. "In fact, she had to go to bed
after I came home. She says she feels sick."

"Maybe she ought to have a doctor," said Bert.

"Don't let her hear you say that," whispered Tommy. "She's in the next
room, and she doesn't like to think of calling in a doctor. She says she
hasn't any money to pay him."

"But that's not right," Bert began. "She ought to----"

Just then Harry nudged his cousin, and winked his eye in a way Bert
understood. So Bert did not finish what he had started to say. Instead
he remarked:

"Is there anything we can do for you, Tommy?"

"No, thank you, I guess not," answered the other. "I'm all right now,
and I don't believe I'll take cold."

When Bert and Harry were outside and on their way home, Bert asked:

"What did you punch me for in there?"

"I didn't want you to talk so much about a doctor. I guess they haven't
any money to pay one."

"No, I guess they haven't."

"But what's the matter with my paying for one to make a visit?" asked
Harry. "Dad gave me some money to spe