grew underneath, and the near-auburn frontispiece was another tint
still; but all that added variety and quantity--and what more could you
ask?

Her bein' some pop-eyed helped you to remember Inez the second time.
About the size of hard-boiled eggs, peeled, them eyes of hers was, and
most the same color. They say she's a wise old girl though,--carries
on three diff'rent business propositions left by her late string of
husbands, goes in deep for classical music, and is some kind of a high
priestess in the theosophy game. A bit faddy, I judged, with maybe a
few bats in her belfry.

But when it comes to investin' some of her surplus funds in Corrugated
preferred she has to have a good look at the books first, and makes
Cousin Hickory Ellins explain some items in the annual report. Three
or four times she was down to the gen'ral offices before the deal went
through.

This last visit of hers was something diff'rent, though.

I took the message down to Martin, the chauffeur myself. It was a
straight call on the carpet. "Tell Cousin Inez the boss wants to see
her before she goes out this afternoon," says I, "and wait with the
limousine until she comes."

Old Hickory was pacin' his private office, scowlin' and grouchy, as he
sends the word, and it didn't take any second sight to guess he was
peeved about something. I has to snicker too when Cousin Inez floats
in, smilin' mushy as usual.