"He is a queer lad----"

"That is, I did not until last night," corrected Walter thoughtfully.

"Oh! Then you told him? What did he say?" questioned Ned, now keenly
interested in the narration.

"He said Tad was a brave boy, and that he wanted to do something for
him. I told him there was one thing he could do that would please me,
at the same time making Tad the happiest boy in Chillicothe--yes,
happier than any other boy in the state of Missouri."

"Yes?"

"Father laughed and asked me what it was that Tad desired so much."
Walter glanced up at his companion, a queer smile playing about his
lips.

"Well, what did you tell him!"

"That Tad wanted a pony."

The boys gazed into each other's eyes.

"Good for you," breathed Ned. "You are the right sort, even if you are
weak. I always said you were. But did your father say he would get Tad
a pony?"

"Well, not exactly. He wanted to know how I thought Tad could take