ry near he came to losing his
position."

Mr. Coddington glanced up humorously; then he chuckled and so did
Peter.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IX

PETER AIDS IN A SURPRISE AND RECEIVES ONE

All the next few months corps of men worked secretly transforming into a
reading-room the great vacant place, which, on that memorable day, Peter
and Nat had appropriated as a lunch room. Carpenters laid the new
floor and stained it; painters tinted the walls a soft green; masons
constructed a hospitable fireplace. One end of the room was furnished
with tiers of book-shelves, tables, chairs, and reading lights; the
other was dotted with a myriad of small tables for the use of those who
wished to lunch at the factories.

Then one Sunday afternoon when everything was completed Peter and his
father made a clandestine trip to the tannery and admitting themselves,
crept up-stairs where Mr. Coddington unlocked the door of the "forbidden
chamber." The whole room glowed with sunshine which flooded the polished
floors and reflected its brightness in the shiny brass andirons adorning
the fireplace.

Peter, who had not seen the place since it was finished, exclaimed with
delight.

"You are satisfied then, Peter?" inquired his father, enjoying his
pleasure. "Do you think there is anything else that your friend Strong
would suggest?"

The lad looked critically about.

"Only one thing, and perhaps that is not necessary after all. But
doesn't it seem to you that the space over the fireplace needs a picture
or something? It looks so bare!"

"A picture! I had not thought of that. Yes, I see what you mean."

"Just one picture," went on Peter. "Something that will show well from
this end of the room when people come in."

"Yes, it would certainly be a distinct improvement. We'll have a picture
there."

Peter raised his eyes shyly to his father's face.

"I think it would be nice," he said, "to have a picture of you."

"A picture of me! Pooh, pooh! Nonsense! The men see me often enough--too
often, I fancy. Remember they do not care for me as you do. No, indeed!
I could not think of sticking my own portrait up in my tanneries. I
shouldn't want to see it myself."

"I don't suppose you would," admitted Peter, reluctantly.

"But we'll have a picture there all the same, Peter. Will you trust me
to select it?"

"Of course I will. Just get something to do with sheep or
horses--something that the men will enjoy and understand."