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?"