“I’ll feel around,” promised Papa, glad to have the matter closed amiably. “I’ll take the girls over right after supper if they can behave themselves!”

It turned out there was another reason for Papa’s eagerness to leave the house that night. He grasped Florrie by one hand and sped down the street, beaming, Marcia and Lena breathlessly skipping along behind. At Jake’s Saloon near the hotel he stopped and peered in the door.

“By George, there’s Ed Hartwell in there!” he exclaimed in profound surprise. “You kids wait while I go and say hello. He must be making the Junction on his new route. Well, well.”

He hastily ducked inside and the immediate burst of laughter from inside was like old times. Marcia and Lena exchanged a comprehending look.

“He knew Ed was here,” stated Lena. “He knew he didn’t dare ask him to the house so he made up this excuse.”

Hello took some time so the three girls walked back and forth impatiently in front of the saloon.

A fog of stale beer fumes surrounded the place, and from inside they heard “Too Much Mustard” jangling on the mechanical piano. Some boys from Lena’s class came along and yelled “Hello, sweetheart,” at Lena, who tossed her head indignantly. Marcia wished they would yell at her, too, but boys never looked at anyone but Lena. If they had a home like other girls they could have parties at night and make fudge and play post office. Marcia mentioned this to Lena as a prospect for their possible future at Grandma’s, but Lena suddenly drew away and said with a faraway look, “Maybe only one of us can stay at Grandma’s, and I’m the one because I’m the oldest.”

It was half an hour before Papa emerged from Jake’s, arm in arm with Ed Hartwell, and chuckling away in the highest spirits. Mr. Hartwell was even more elegant looking than before, for his sideburns and moustache were now lightly tinged with gray, and his figure had increased impressively. It seemed that Mr. Hartwell felt that he, too, should call on Grandma.

“Harry, your mother-in-law is one of the finest,” he declared warmly. He shook hands with the girls, picked up Florrie to carry but found his wind not up to it, so put her down. He gave each of them a quarter on the spot, and pinched Lena’s rosy cheek with an exclamation that, by George, she was getting to be a little beauty. He patted Marcia’s head and observed that she looked bright as a little button.

Both men repeated complimentary remarks about the old lady, and what guts she had, and how anxious they were to see her. However, they delayed the visit a little longer by recollecting some private matter that needed attending in the Elks Club. In spite of their impatience at the second delay, the girls were cheered to hear Papa laugh again all the louder, and to hear him saying things that made Mr. Hartwell roar with deepest appreciation.