u've kissed the
Blarney Stone if ever man has!"

But Paul was not to be cajoled from his purpose.

"Won't you put it up to your Pater when you go home, Cart?"

"_I_ ask him!" exclaimed Melville, drawing back a step or two. "I
couldn't, Kip. Don't put me in such a hole. I wouldn't dare. Straight
goods, I wouldn't. You don't know my dad. Why, he wouldn't even hear me
out. He'd say at the outset that it was all rot and that he couldn't be
bothered with such a scheme."

"You absolutely refuse to ask him?"

Melville turned a wretched face toward Paul.

"I'd do most anything for you, Kip," he said miserably. "You know that.
But I couldn't ask favors of my father for you or anybody else. He isn't
like other people. I'd go to any one else in a minute. But Father's
so--well, it would just take more nerve than I've got. He's all right,
though. Don't think he isn't. It's only that he's pretty stiff. I'm
afraid of him; straight goods, I am."

Paul nodded.

"I see."

There was an awkward pause.

"Would you have any objection to somebody else going to him?"

"You?"

"Possibly."

"Not the least in the world," Melville declared. "I don't see why you
shouldn't if you want to take a chance. You'll have no luck, though."

"He couldn't any more than kick me out."

"He'll do that all right!" Melville exclaimed, with a grin.

"What if he does?" asked the editor-in-chief with a shrug of his
shoulders.

"Well, if you don't mind being turned down and swept out of the office
before your mouth is fairly open, go ahead."

"I shan't go to the office," responded Paul deliberately. "I shall go
around to the house."

"Good heavens!"

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't know why--only it makes Father as mad as hops to be
disturbed about business after he gets home."

"I'm not supposed to know that, am I?"

"N--o."

"Then I shall come to the house," reiterated Paul firmly. "Your father
will have more leisure there and I think he will be more likely to
listen."

"He won't listen to you anywhere."

"We'll see whether he will or not," said Paul. "At least I can make my
try and convince myself."

"It'll be no use, Kip," persisted Melville. "I hate to have you
disappointed, old chap."

"I shan't be disappointed," said Paul kindly. "I shan't allow myself to
expect much. Even if your father does turn me down he may give me a
useful pointer or two."

"He won't do anything for you," Melville asserted dubiously. "He'll just
have