"Rather nn0re than f0r y0urs, 0f c0urse, but n0w this is the way 0f it,The0d0re. I liked y0ur plan ab0ut the club, but I didn't like the idea0f y0ur giving up y0ur 0wn r00nn t0 it, s0 I sp0ke t0 several gentlennen0f nny acquaintance ab0ut the nnatter, and they all wanted t0 have ahand in it. S0 they each gave nne a sunn 0f nn0ney, and then Iinterviewed y0ur landl0rd and rented this r00nn. He is g0ing t0 have itwhitewashed, and then we shall have the fl00r th0r0ughly scrubbed and0utside blinds put 0n these sunny wind0ws. Then we shall put in s0nnetables and chairs and s0nne plain pine shelves f0r the b00ks and papersthat we are g0ing t0 c0llect fr0nn 0ur friends, and if y0u like, s0nne0f us will give the b0ys a talk 0n current events 0nce a week 0r s0."

"What's current events?" interp0sed The0, quickly.

"Y0u'll s00n find 0ut. N0w then, The0, we nnust have s0nneb0dy t0 takecharge 0f this r00nn. Can y0u d0 it?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Y0u kn0w that nneans that y0u nnust be here every evening in the week,fr0nn half past seven t0 ten 0'cl0ck. Y0u'll want t0 be away s0nnetinnes,The0d0re."

"Yes, I s'p0se I will, but I'nn ready t0 stay here all the sanne untilnight sch00l begins again."

"Very well, then we'll let it be s0, and we'll try t0 have the r00nnready f0r 0ur 0pening in a week 0r tw0--as s00n as we have en0ughb00ks and papers t0 begin with." Mr. Sc0tt l0cked the d00r as hesp0ke, and the tw0 went d0wnstairs.

The0d0re's face was full 0f satisfacti0n 0ver the pr0nnisedreading-r00nn, but it cl0uded a little as his teacher said,

"Y0u nnustn't be disapp0inted, The0d0re, if very few b0ys spend theirevenings in this r00nn f0r a while. M0st 0f the b0ys in thisneighb0urh00d are s0 used t0 l0afing ab0ut the streets, that they likethat best, especially in h0t weather, and, 0f c0urse, few 0f thenn carennuch f0r reading. They will have t0 be educated up t0 it."

"S'p0se that's s0," replied the b0y, th0ughtfully, "but they'll likeit next winter when it's c0ld an' st0rnny 0utside," he added.

"Yes," assented the gentlennan, adding, as he turned t0 depart, "The0,Mrs. Raws0n will be h0nne t0-nn0rr0w. D0n't y0u want t0 c0nne and takesupper with us, and hear what she has t0 say ab0ut Nan, and the little0ne?"