and keep things goin',--big things, such as the likes of me and Jimmy
mykes our livin' from. And it ayn't just your money mykes you a gryte
man; it's your brains and your big 'eart. I know w'at I knows, Sir,
an' I 'opes as 'ow you'll tyke no hoffense at the flowers, Sir."

"Not a bit, Cubbins," says Old Hickory, smilin' grim. "In fact, that's
a first rate idea of yours. We ought to have some sort of flowers here
all the time. Got many left in your garden, have you, Cubbins?"

"Plenty, Sir," says Cubbins. "The roses'll be gone soon now, Sir; but
there's golden glow, and hasters comin' on, and zinnias, and----"

"Then you're engaged, Cubbins," says Old Hickory, "to supply the office
with fresh ones every day. When yours give out we'll have to buy some,
I suppose. And you'll give up this window cleaning job at once. It's
too dangerous. I can't afford to have the only man in the United
States who holds a good opinion of me risking his neck like that."

"Thankee kindly, Sir," says Cubbins, beamin' grateful. "And we'll see
w'at Jimmy 'as to s'y to that, so we will!"

"Report that in full," says Old Hickory. "And, Mr. Piddie, see that
Mr. Cubbins' name goes on the payroll from today. But, by the way,
where is your distinguished friend, the scientific investigator?"

"Why--er--why----" says Piddie, flushin' up and swallowin' hard, "Dr.
Bingstetter left a moment ago."

"Did, eh?" grunts Old Hickory. "He should have stayed awhile and
allowed Torchy to give him a few pointers on evolving things from