hings, Buddy, that I wouldn't like to see you do."

"If they wouldn't hurt me any more 'n they've hurt you I'd like to
try'em."

"Another proof that you are still in short pants. I'm a bad person to
copy. By the way, why did you quit school?"

Buddy considered his reply, then: "I reckon it was because of them
short pants you speak about. I can't stand bein' laughed at, Mr. Gray.
It comes hard to stand up in a class along with a bunch of children and
make mistakes and have a little boy in a lace collar and spring heels
snap his fingers and sing out in a sweet soprano, 'Oh, tee-_cher!_'
Then have him show you up. They put me in with a lot of nursin' babes.
What the hell? I weigh a hundred and ninety and I got a beard!"

"Didn't you learn anything?"

Buddy closed a meaning eye, and his pleasant features wrinkled into
that infectious smile. "I'll tell the world I did! After the whistlin'
squabs was asleep in their nests I went out among the whippoorwills an'
the bats. Ain't it funny how quick folks can learn to put up with bad
grammar when you got a jingle in your jeans? I guess I've got enough
education to do me; anyhow, I can write Ozark Briskow in the lower
right-hand corner and that seems to get me by."

"You wouldn't consent to go back or--have a tutor, like Allie?"

"Who, _me?_" Briskow laughed scornfully.

"Um-m! Merely a suggestion. You are the architect of your own career."

"I'm fed up on that kind of schoolin', Mr. Gray. I--" Buddy's face
reddened, he dropped his eyes. "I don't mind tellin' _you_--I--It's
like this--I kinda got a girl!"

"_No!_" The speaker was surprised, incredulous.

"Sure have. She's--wonderful. She's right here in this hotel!"

"Buddy, you're developing!" Gray exclaimed, with apparent admiration.

"I been showin' her the sights--that's what ails me this morning. She
lets me take her around to places--trusts me, you understand? She
thinks I'm aces."

"Splendid! I wish you'd ask her to dig up a friend."

"How d'you mean?"

"Why, ask her to find another good-looking girl for me--I assume she
_is_ good looking--then we can make it a foursome. I'm a great
entertainer, and, while I don't drink, I haven't the slightest
objection to ladies who do. Dallas, I believe, is a pretty lively--"

"She's a stranger here," Buddy broke in, stiffly. His enthusiasm had
cooled; he regarded Gray with veiled displeasure. "An' besides, she
ain't that kind of a girl."

"Oh! Sorry! I thought from