persuade you to think of taking a
partnership with me--wouldn't cost you a cent of capital, neither. Why,
the doc was saying, just this morning, when we was speaking of having
read about you in the paper--he was saying that you were the kind of man
we need for president of our country club, instead of some dude like
that sissified Buck Simpson. Buck is as punk an athlete as he is a
shoeman, and, believe me, Mr. Appleby, we've got the makings of a fine
country club. We expect to have a club-house and tennis-courts and
golluf-links and all them things before long. We got a croquet-ground
right now! And every Fourthajuly we all go for a picnic. Now can't the
madam come? Make it supper this evening. But, say, I want to warn you
that if we ever did talk business, I don't see how I could very well
offer you more than a forty-per-cent. interest, in any case."

"No," growled Father, "wouldn't take over a third interest. Don't
believe in demanding too much. Live and let live, that's my motto."

"Yes, sir, and a fine motto it is, too," admired the shoeman.

"What time is supper?"

* * * * *

"... and before I get through with it I'll own a chain of shoe-stores
from here to Indianapolis," said Father. "I'll be good for twenty years'
more business, and I'll wake this town up."

"I do believe you will, Father. But I just can't believe yet that you've
actually signed the contract and are a partner," Mother yearned. "Why,
it ain't possible."

"Guess it is possible, though, judging by this hundred dollar advance,"
Father chuckled. "Nice fellow, that shoeman--or he will be when he gets
over thinking I'm a tin god and sits down and plays crib like I was an
ordinary human being.... We ought to have larger show-windows. We'll
keep Peter on--don't want to make the boy lose his job on account of me.
Give him another chance.... I'm just wambling, Mother, but I'm so
excited at having a job again--"

With tiny pats of her arm, he stalked the street, conscious of the
admiring gaze of the villagers, among whom ran the news that the famous
explorer was going to remain with them.

When the landlord himself had preceded them up-stairs to the two rooms
which the shoeman had engaged for the Applebys at the Star Hotel, Father
chuckled: "Does it look more possible, now, with these rooms, eh? Let's
see, we must get a nice little picture of a kitten in a basket, to hang
over that radiator. Drat the landlord, I tho