“‘Yes,’ says he. “‘In all them rooms?’ says I. “‘Yes,’ says he. “‘Cost you a dollar a day apiece,’ says I. ‘makin’ a daily total of three dollars,’ says I. “‘You undercharge, my friend,’ says he. ‘Never get rich that way. I shall have to take you in hand,’ says he, just like that, ‘and teach you how to set proper prices on your accommodations.’ “With that he moggs up-stairs—as cool as a cucumber. Bet he’s one of them millionaires.” We all stood and listened to the clerk while he was getting off this talk, and then Catty and I went back to the store. We got there just in time, for Mr. Atkins was sneakin’ out of the back door with his fish-pole wrapped up in a newspaper—aiming to go and be shiftless for the rest of the day. “Where you goin’, Dad?” says Catty, sober as a judge. “Jest out,” says Mr. Atkins. “You won’t need that fish-pole,” says Catty, “and you got to kalsomine Johnson’s kitchen this afternoon.” Mr. Atkins let out a groan and came back as meek as Moses. The way Catty watched him and bossed him was a caution to cats. That afternoon Catty and I walked around by Jim Bockers’ shop to take a look. He was getting ready to open up to-morrow. He had a big stock of everything in his line, and a new sign, and just as we were getting there he was tacking up a big piece of white cloth with something painted on it. We waited to read it. It says: The Best and Cheapest Get your painting and paperhanging done here We Guarantee To Do Work Cheaper Get prices elsewhere, and then come to us. We will do any job for five per cent. less than any competitor. We positively guarantee this I looked at Catty and Catty looked at me. “If he guarantees to take any job for less than you’ll take it for, how do you calc’late ever to get a job?” says I. “Maybe folks won’t b’lieve him,” says Catty. “They’ll try, anyhow,” says I, “and if he’s tellin’ the truth, he’ll git the business.” “Maybe so,” says Catty, but he didn’t seem as worried as I was. “Dad and me is doing business as cheap as it can be done. If this feller knocks off five per cent, off’n our prices, he’ll lose money every time he takes a job. He won’t last long at that.” “Maybe he kin work cheaper ’n you.” “He can’t.” “Wa-al,” says I, “you ought to do something or other, hadn’t you?” “Calc’latin’ to,” says he. “What?” says I. “Dunno—yet,” says he, “but I’m goin’ to figger it out. There is some way to beat Bockers at this here game, and if there is it kin be found, and if it kin be found, why, I kin find it if I figger hard enough.”