Suit Account_

_Debit_ _Credit_

One new experience. Heard
much big talk that was not
hot air!

There was a fascination to it all. Skinner felt that somehow he was
sitting in a big game--sitting on the edge, perhaps, but rubbing
shoulders with some of the men who actually shaped the affairs of the
business world. The realization stimulated him, lifted him up. And
when he went to claim his next dance with the social arbiter, he felt
more of an equal with "bigness."

When Skinner that night put the dress suit away, he patted the coat
fondly. "Sorry, Skinner, old chap,--you know what for," he murmured.
Then he made the note in his little book:--

_Dress-Suit Account_

_Debit_ _Credit_

One important lesson!
Never prematurely vent
spleen on an inanimate
object. Only silly ass does
that.

CHAPTER VI

DODGING A MAGNATE AND WHAT CAME OF IT

Next morning, good commuter that he was, Skinner made his customary
dash for his train. Honey was used to this, but she was not prepared
for what followed on this particular morning.

Skinner had only got halfway down to the gate when he saw Stephen
Colby's car coming down the road. Here was the multi-millionaire, with
whom he had talked on terms of equality the night before, making for
the Pullman end of his train--here was he, Skinner, in his shabby old
clothes. Would Colby recognize him or would n't he? First, Skinner
was afraid he would n't, then he was afraid he would. He decided not
to chance it. He darted back into the vestibule, drew the door half
to, and waited until the magnate's car had passed; then he emerged from
his hiding-place and made one of his characteristic heel-and-toe
sprints for the depot. When he got there, he hurried into the
smoker--the laboring man's club.

Skinner repeated this somewhat eccentric advance, retreat, and quick
dash maneuver for three successive days, dodging the formidable car of
the magnate, and hoping that Honey might not be at her customary place
at the front window to watch him off to his train. At first, he was
amused. It was a joke on