hing before.

"Girls, you've all been so good in helping. Let's divide this equally
between us."

"Why the idea, Shirley Williams!" exclaimed Bet. "Who made those
prints? Who sat up until two o'clock one morning? Did we? --We did
not. That money belongs to you and no one else."

"Say girls, that was a good idea about the tea. What made you think of
it?" Shirley asked a little later.

"We wanted a share in Shirley's first sale and that was the only way we
could think of getting into it," smiled Kit.

"It was a good day's work, young lady!" approved Bet. "For if they
hadn't been drinking tea they wouldn't have known anything about
Shirley's picture-taking ability and now she has an order."

The door rattled again and the girls stood up, expecting another
customer. But it was better than that. It was Colonel Baxter with a
big package in his arms. He had just returned from New York, bringing
with him some purchases for the shop.

As soon as he appeared, the girls met him, all talking at once, and
drew him to a chair.

"Sit down, Colonel Baxter. I'll have a cup of tea for you in a
minute," shouted Kit and she and Joy ran to the little electric plate
in the back room. "The water is almost hot. It will be ready in less
than no time."

While the two girls were busy preparing the tea, Bet and Shirley told
of the doings of the day and Shirley proudly waved the ten dollars in
her hand.

"And just see, Colonel Baxter, the first sales in Shirley's Shop!"

"And I was planning on having that honor myself. I didn't think you
would have anything ready until next week. You've done wonders with
this old store."

Colonel Baxter laughed heartily over the description of the boys
demanding a handout.

"And here's another hungry man," he said. "I hope that tea will soon
be ready."

"We're coming just in a minute, Colonel Baxter," called Joy. Then to
Kit she said: "I bet he didn't have a bite of lunch. Let's fix up some
cold chicken and apple fritters for him."

"Now that's my idea of afternoon tea," exclaimed the Colonel, as he
settled himself comfortably in an easy chair and seized upon the
chicken. "Did you feed your two customers as well?"

"Oh no," said Kit with great disdain. "With them we were exceedingly
polite. We made those little sandwiches, the two for a penny kind, and
gave them only tea and cakes besides. That's all they got."

"Then it's all right. I was afraid you might be treating t