The youthful man began to laugh.

"Where did you meet her, Dick?" he said. "At Newport? 0rwhen you ran over to Paris the last time?"

Dick actually forgot to grin. He began to gather his brushes andthings together, as if he had something to do which would put anend to his business for the present.

"Never mind," he exclaimed. "I know her! An I've struck work forthis mornin'."

And in less than five minutes from that time he was tearingthrough the streets on his way to Mr. Hobbs and the corner store.

Mr. Hobbs could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses whenhe looked across the counter and saw Dick rush in with the paperin his hand. The boy was out of breath with running; so much outof breath, in fact, that he could scarcely speak as he threw thepaper down on the counter.