His
new friend secured a hack, the driver of which agreed for extra
recompense to receive the dripping boys into his carriage, and they
were whirled rapidly to a pleasant house in a side street, where
matters were quickly explained, and both boys were put to bed.
"I aint used to goin' to bed quite so early," thought Dick. "This is
the queerest excursion I ever took."
Like most active boys Dick did not enjoy the prospect of spending
half a day in bed; but his confinement did not last as long as he
anticipated.
In about an hour the door of his chamber was opened, and a servant
appeared, bringing a new and handsome suit of clothes throughout.
"You are to put on these," said the servant to Dick; "but you
needn't get up till you feel like it."
"Whose clothes are they?" asked Dick.
"They are yours."
"Mine! Where did they come from?"
"Mr. Rockwell sent out and bought them for you. They are the
same size as your wet ones."
"Is he here now?"
"No. He bought another suit for the little boy, and has gone back to
New York. Here's a note he asked me to give you."
Dick opened the paper, and read as follows,--
"Please accept this outfit of clothes as the first instalment of
a debt which I can never repay. I have asked to have your wet suit
dried, when you can reclaim it. Will you oblige me by calling
to-morrow at my counting room, No. --, Pearl Street.
"Your friend,
"JAMES ROCKWELL.
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