asked them to stand an egg on end, which they tried and tried without
success, until he gently cracked one end, and it stood up all right.
Oh! yes, I can see now I might have done a lot of things that didn't
happen to occur to me just then."

"I'm sorry you let such a good chance slip by without nailing it," said
Hugh.

"Well, it might happen," added Thad, as though an idea had come into
his brain like an electric flash, "that another opportunity will come
along, and if it does, I give you my word I'll learn something worth
while."

"How did you like the old gentleman," continued Hugh; "and after
meeting him, do you take any stock in the stories that have been
floating around town about his being the clever rascal who disappeared
from Wall Street two years ago?"

"Why, he seemed very pleasant, so far as I could see," replied Thad,
slowly. "Course I don't pretend to be a smart enough reader of human
nature to say positively that old Mr. Dugdale is all to the good; but
he is well read, and I seemed to see what looked like a twinkle in the
corners of his eyes as though he might have a fair sense of humor in
his make-up."

"He liked you, too, didn't he, Thad?" continued Hugh.

"Well, to be honest with you, I really believe the old gentleman did
act a little that way. Perhaps, it was because he'd heard Owen mention
my name as one of his few friends; and Mr. Dugdale was wanting to show