, could be about I
thought at one time though, that I wasn't going to get away. All
creation appeared to want to take supper with us to-night. What are you
all shut up so early for?"

"Business. Jim, I have just the chance for you to get away from there."

"How?"

"Well," and then his companion launched forth in an account of his
afternoon letter, and the prospects which were opening before him, and
also his idea of the prospects which were opening before Jim. When he
ceased, the said Jim gazed at him in silence for a moment, and then
said:

"And you offer me an out-and-out partnership?"

"Out-and-out. You can come right in here and take the business just as
it is, furniture and fixtures of all sorts, and from this time forth
until we change our minds I'll pay half the expenses and share the
profits. That is--well, there's only one proviso."

"I thought there must be something somewhere. What is it?"

"You know, Jim, this is a temperance business."

"Of course. What's your proviso?"

"You must sign the pledge."

"Stuff and nonsense."

"Very well, if that's your final answer we will drop the subject."

"But, Tode, that's perfectly silly. Can't you trust a fellow unless he
puts his name to a piece of paper like a baby? I don't drink, and I
won't sell rum here. What more do you want?"

"Want you to say so on paper."

"What for?"

"To gratify me perhaps. It isn't a great deal to do. If you mean what
you say you can have no serious objection to doing so."

"Yes, but I have. I don't approve of signing away my liberty in that
style."

"Who has been saying that to you?" asked Theodore, gravely.

"Perhaps I said it myself."

"I think not. I believe _you_, personally, have more sense."

Whereat Jim laughed and looked a little ashamed.

"No matter," he said at last, "I ain't going to sign a pledge for
anybody, but I'm willing to get out of that business. I don't like
making drunkards any better than you do, and I should have quit before
if I could have seen any chance just on mother's account, but I never
expected an offer like this."

To all of which Theodore made answer only by setting himself comfortably
back in his arm-chair, pushing a fruit-basket toward his companion, and
saying:

"Have a pear, Jim?"

Then the talk drifted on to pears and peaches, and divers other fruits,
until Jim said:

"Come, let's talk business."

Theodore opened his eyes large, and looked inquiring.

"I thought we w