"Short $3,500 in Accounts, Trusted Man Kills Self with Drug."
"Found Frozen. Family Without Food or Fuel. Baby Dead when
Parents Return Home from Seeking Work."
"Minister Returned from Trip Abroad Lectures on Big Future of Our
City. Sees Big Improvement during Short Absence. Says No
European City Holds Candle." (Sheridan nodded approvingly here.)

Bibbs came through the hall whistling, and entered the room briskly.
"Well, father, did you want me?"

"Yes. Sit down." Sheridan got up, and Bibbs took a seat by the fire,
holding out his hands to the crackling blaze, for it was cold outdoors.

"I came within seven of the shop record to-day," he said. "I handled
more strips than any other workman has any day this month. The nearest
to me is sixteen behind."

"There!" exclaimed his father, greatly pleased. "What'd I tell you?
I'd like to hear Gurney hint again that I wasn't right in sending you
there--I would just like to hear him! And you--ain't you ashamed of
makin' such a fuss about it? Ain't you?"

"I didn't go at it in the right spirit the other time," Bibbs said,
smiling brightly, his face ruddy in the cheerful firelight. "I didn't
know the difference it meant to like a thing."

"Well, I guess I've pretty thoroughly vindicated my judgement. I guess I
HAVE! I said the shop'd be good for you, and it was. I said it wouldn't
hurt you, and it hasn't. It's been just exactly what I said it would be.
Ain't that so?"

"Looks like it!" Bibbs agreed, gaily.

"Well, I'd like to know any place I been wrong, first and last! Instead
o' hurting you, it's been the makin' of you--physically. You're a good
inch taller'n what I am, and you'd be a bigger man than what I am
if you'd get some flesh on your bones; and you ARE gettin' a little.
Physically, it's started you out to be the huskiest one o' the whole
family. Now, then, mentally--that's different. I don't say it unkindly,
Bibbs, but you got to do something for yourself mentally, just like
what's begun physically. And I'm goin' to help you."

Sheridan decided to sit down again. He brought his chair close to his
son's, and, leaning over, tapped Bibbs's knee confidentially. "I got
plans for you, Bibbs," he said.

Bibbs instantly looked thoroughly alarmed. He drew back. "I--I'm all
right now, father."

"Listen." Sheridan settled himself in his chair, and spoke in the tone
of a reasonable man reasoning. "Listen here, Bibbs. I had another blow
to-day, and