place seem sort of more busy
and prosperous when it comes to getting a loan from the bank--and I got
to get one mighty soon, too. I did think some that if things go as well
as there's every reason to think they OUGHT to, I might want to spread
out and maybe get hold of that old factory myself; but I hardly expected
to be able to handle a proposition of that size before two or three
years from now, and anyhow there's room enough on the lot I got, if we
need more buildings some day. Things are going about as fine as I could
ask: I hired some girls to-day to do the bottling--coloured girls along
about sixteen to twenty years old. Afterwhile, I expect to get a machine
to put the stuff in the little bottles, when we begin to get good
returns; but half a dozen of these coloured girls can do it all right
now, by hand. We're getting to have really quite a little plant over
there: yes, sir, quite a regular little plant!"

He chuckled, and at this cheerful sound, of a kind his wife had almost
forgotten he was capable of producing, she ventured to put her hand upon
his arm. They had gone outdoors, after dinner, taking two chairs with
them, and were sitting through the late twilight together, keeping well
away from the "front porch," which was not yet occupied, however Alice
was in her room changing her dress.

"Well, honey," Mrs. Adams said, taking confidence not only to put her
hand upon his arm, but to revive this disused endearment;--"it's grand
to have you so optimistic. Maybe some time you'll admit I was right,
after all. Everything's going so well, it seems a pity you didn't take
this--this step--long ago. Don't you think maybe so, Virgil?"

"Well--if I was ever going to, I don't know but I might as well of.
I got to admit the proposition begins to look pretty good: I know the
stuff'll sell, and I can't see a thing in the world to stop it. It does
look good, and if--if----" He paused.

"If what?" she said, suddenly anxious.

He laughed plaintively, as if confessing a superstition. "It's
funny--well, it's mighty funny about that smell. I've got so used to it
at the plant I never seem to notice it at all over there. It's only when
I get away. Honestly, can't you notice----?"

"Virgil!" She lifted her hand to strike his arm chidingly. "Do quit
harping on that nonsense!"

"Oh, of course it don't amount to anything," he said. "A person can
stand a good deal of just smell. It don't WORRY me any."

"I should think not esp