"No," said Tommy. "I forgot him."
"I am afraid I did, too," said his father slowly. "Well, write
another and try. You can never tell. Trying is better than crying."
This was two days before Christmas. And the next afternoon Tommy went
again with his father to the coasting-hill to see the boys and once
more take a coast with Johnny. But no Johnny was there and no other
boy asked Tommy if he wanted a ride. So, they returned home much
disappointed, his father telling him more about the Eskimos and the
polar bears. But, just as they were turning the corner before reaching
the gate which led into their grounds, they came on Johnny struggling
along through the snow, under the weight of a big basket full of
bundles. At sight of them he swung the basket down in the snow with a
loud, "Whew, that's heavy! I tell you." Tommy ran forward to meet him.
"We have been looking for you," he said.
"I could not go to-day," explained Johnny. "I had to work. I am
working for Mr. Bucket to-day to make some money to buy Christmas
things."
"How much do you make?" asked Tommy's father.
"Half a dollar to-day, if I work late. I generally make ten cents,
sometimes fifteen."
"That is a pretty heavy load--in the snow," said Tommy's father, as
Johnny stooped and swung his basket up on his hip.
"Oh, I can manage it," said the boy, cheerfully. "A boy stole my sled
last night, or I would carry it on that."
"Stole your sled!" cried Tommy.
"Yes, I left it outside the door when I was getting my load to put on,
and when I came out it was gone. I wish I could catch him."
"I am going to watch for him, too," said Tommy.
"If I had a box I could make another one," said Johnny. "Maybe, Mr.
Bucket will give me one after Christmas. He said maybe he would. Then
I will give you another ride." He called over his shoulder to them, as
he trudged off, "Well, good-by. I hope you will have a merry
Christmas, and that Santa Claus will bring you lots of things," and
away he trudged. They wished him a merry Christmas, too, and then
turned into their grounds.
"Father," said Tommy, suddenly, "let's give Johnny a sled."
"Yes," said his father, "you might give him yours--the one you got
last Christmas."
"I haven't got it now. It's gone," said Tommy.
"Did some one take it--like Johnny's?"
"No, I broke it," said Tommy, crestfallen.
"You might mend it?" suggested his father.
"I broke it all up," said Tommy, sadly.
"Ah, that is a pity," said his father.
Tommy was still thinking.
"Father, why can't I give him a box?" he said. "The basement and the
wood-shed are full of big boxes."
"Why not give him the one I gave you a few days ago?"
"I broke it up, too," said Tommy shamefacedly.
"Oh," said his father. "That's a pity. Johnny could have made a sled
out of it." Tommy felt very troubled, and he began to think what he
might do.
"If you will give me another, I will give it to Johnny," he said
presently.
"Why, I'll tell you what I will do," said his father. "I will furnish
the box if you will carry it over to Johnny's home."
"All right. I will do it," said Tommy promptly. So as soon as they
reached home Tommy dived down into the basement and soon came out,
puffing and blowing, dragging along with him a big box as high as his
head.
"I am afraid that is too big for you to carry," suggested his father.
"Oh, I will make Richard carry it."
"Richard is my servant, not yours," said his father. "Besides, you
were to carry it yourself."
"It is too big for me. The snow is too deep."
"Now, if you had not broken up your sled you might carry it on that,"
said his father.
"Yes," said Tommy sadly. "I wish I had not broken it up. I'll be bound
that I don't break up the next one I get."
"That's a good beginning," said his father. "But wishing alone will
never do anything, not even if you had the magical wishing-cap I read
you about. You must not only wish; you must help yourself. Now, Johnny
would make a sled out of that box."
"I wish I could," said Tommy. "I would try if I had some tools. I wish
I had some tools."
"What tools would you need?"