“Yes, but if you took it you’d throw it away after you were through with it. It isn’t any good to you after you’ve read it, you see. How much have you read so far?” “Pretty nearly a third.” “Well, we will call it three cents’ worth if you stop now.” “But--but I haven’t any money with me, Chub!” “That’s all right. I’ll lend it to you.” “Well, couldn’t you--couldn’t you lend me ten cents just as well?” “No.” Chub shook his head. “I couldn’t trust you for so much. If you read any more you’ll have to go and get the money before Jennie comes.” “Chub, I think you’re just horrid!” cried Harry, vexedly. Chub only grinned. Harry looked hesitatingly at the book for a moment, and then closed it regretfully and placed it back in the window. Chub counted out three coppers and dropped them into her hand, and she placed them in the till. Then she made another entry on the paper bag as follows: One third of “Little Goldie’s Vow” .03 After that they drew their chairs to the doorway and sat and looked out across the quiet, shaded street. There wasn’t much of interest to look at--a cat washing its face on the side porch of the little white house opposite, a sparkle of blue where the river was visible between the branches of a tree and the corner of a house on the other street, a couple of pigeons parading about in the road. Twice an old man went by trundling a wheelbarrow, and twice automobiles flashed along northward on the river road. “Wonder what time it is,” murmured Chub after a while, as he drew his watch out. “Hello, almost six! I wonder if one of us hadn’t better go back to the boat and tell the rest what’s happened to us. Maybe they’ll be worried.” “I’ll go,” said Harry. “And I’ll tell them we can’t be back until half-past six, so that they will keep supper for us.” “All right,” answered Chub, “if you don’t mind. I’ll keep store. When did she say that train was due?” “About six, I think. She said Jennie would surely be here by half-past.” “Well, only three-quarters of an hour more, then. Run along and tell them. And you don’t have to come back, Harry, unless you want to.” “Oh, but I do! I won’t be more than ten minutes, Chub.” “Take your time,” answered Chub, magnanimously. “I sha’n’t be overworked, I guess.” He settled down comfortably in his chair and watched Harry disappear around the corner. “My, but this is an exciting town!” he muttered. “I wish that cat would fall off the porch, or something else would happen.” But nothing did, and presently Harry was back again, and the clock at the back of the store struck six in wheezy tones. The sun was getting low, and long shafts of amber light swept down the road that wound up the hill toward the west. A train whistled in the distance. “That’s Jennie,” said Chub. “Bennie will be along pretty soon now; Cæsar and Bennie and Jennie. I’m getting awfully hungry. Do you remember any of the messages Mrs. Peel left for Jennie?”