The boy suspected
that his father's reason for this decision was because for the last
few days try as he would he had been unable to conceal how miserable
and uncomfortable he felt. Dr. Swift, however, would not own that this
was the cause of his loitering at home. He merely declared that when
the near-at-hand sport was so good it was foolish to tramp ten miles
to waylay some unwary and distant trout. And indeed this logic
appeared to be sound, for not once did the anglers return from one of
their brief tours that they did not bring with them baskets well lined
with yellow perch, trout, or land-loch salmon.
As a consequence the Doctor managed to keep very close watch of his
son, and Theo saw a great deal both of his father and Mr. Croyden.
The friendship of the latter for the sick lad was no empty pose.
He sincerely liked Theo--liked his manliness and his intelligence; his
brave attempt at unselfishness; his boyish love of fun.
Mr. Croyden was very fond of boys and, in fact, often betrayed the
circumstance that in reality he himself had never really grown up.
Accordingly he sought Theo out whenever he had leisure, and many a
happy hour did the two spend together.
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