"Bring it up when you come," exclaimed Mr. Hobbs, "an' I'll pay forit. Bring all you can find that have any earls in 'em. If thereare n't earls, markises'll do, or dooks--though HE never mademention of any dooks or markises. We did go over coronets alittle, but I never happened to look at any. I guess they don't keep'em 'round here."

"Tiffany 'd have 'em if anybody did," exclaimed Dick, "but I don'tknow as I'd know one if I saw it."

Mr. Hobbs did not explain that he would not have known one if hesaw it. He merely shook his head ponderously.

"I s'pose there is fairly little call for 'em," he said, and thatended the matter.

This was the beginning of very a substantial friendship. WhenDick went up to the store, Mr. Hobbs received him with greathospitality. He gave him a chair tilted against the door, near abarrel of apples, and after his young visitor was seated, he madea jerk at them with the hand in which he held his pipe, saying:

"Help yerself."