"It is very nice," said Mrs. Roberts, with satisfied eyes. She still
made much use of that little word.

"And, Mrs. Roberts, I asked one of your boys to come in this evening
and see my room."




CHAPTER XII.

"I WANT THEM TO GET USED TO PARLORS."


"Those two people can think and talk of nothing but those dreadful boys,"
said Gracie to herself, half annoyed and wholly interested. She found
herself that very evening turning over the music, with the wonderment in
her mind as to what she could sing that they would be likely to care
for, provided one of them appeared, which thing she did not expect.

But I have not told you of all the discussions had that day. The boys
went their various ways, their minds also busy with the events of the
afternoon. Dirk Colson and Stephen Crowley went off together; not that
they were special friends, but their homes lay near together. For the
distance of half a block they walked in silence; then Stephen Crowley
spoke his mind:--

"Nimble Dick wasn't near as smart to-day as he thinks he was, accordin'
to my way of thinkin'."