Swift's inquiry Mr. Croyden announced that
he happened to be coming into New York that very day in his car, and
if the Swifts were willing he would carry Theo back with him.
"That will be the very thing!" exclaimed the boy in delight. "We can
do the shelves all up so he won't guess what they are, and I can take
them right along. Then they will be safe at Mr. Croyden's house and I
shall not run the risk of the expressman being late. You know
expressmen always are late. Think how long they were getting my
crutches to Maine."
Accordingly the shelves were packed with greatest care in many soft
papers so they would not be scratched, and afterward they were wrapped
in a stouter outside covering. When the parcel was tied up no one
would have suspected what was inside, and Theo viewed the mysterious
bundle with satisfaction.
"Mr. Croyden will think that for a small boy you travel with a good
deal of luggage," chuckled the Doctor.
"Maybe he won't have room to take it," Mrs. Swift rejoined.
Theo's face fell.
"He must take it," he said, "even if I walk to Trenton myself."
But there was room, plenty of it, in the big touring car.
Mr. Croyden did, to be sure, comment teasingly about the lad's
extended wardrobe, and ask how many dozen suits of clothes he had
brought with him; but he made no objection to taking either the bundle
or the suit-case.
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