CHAPTER V

BREEZING BY WITH PEGGY

He's a great old scout, Mr. Ellins. But he always knows where he wants
to get off, all right. He don't whisper his ideas on the subject,
either.

"Boy," says he the other mornin' as I answers the buzzer, "I am
expecting two young persons to call this forenoon, two young wards of
mine. Huh! Wards! As though I wasn't busy enough with my own affairs
without---- But never mind. Chandler is the name."

"Yes, Sir," says I. "Chandler. Rush 'em right in, shall I?"

"No!" snorts Old Hickory. "What I want you to do is to use a little
sense, if you have any. Now, here! I have a committee meeting at ten;
those K. & T. people will be here at ten-forty-five; and after that I
can't say whether I'll be free or not. Of course I must see the young
nuisances; but meantime I want to forget 'em. I am trusting to you to
work 'em in when they'll be the least bother."

"Got you," says I. "Chink in with Chandlers. Yes, Sir. Anything
more?"

"No. Get out!" he snaps.

Fair imitation of a grouch, eh? But you got to get used to Old