I started out with him, leaving Jack and Mr. Atkins behind. Jack was gloomy, but Mr. Atkins was kind of cheerful, because it was one of his days when he wanted to wander, and I guess he figured if this contract didn’t go through, why, he could go back to being shiftless again. Catty and me we walked up the street and turned into the bank. He rapped on Captain Winton’s door and the captain called to come in. We went. “Well?” says the captain, looking at us kind of impatient. “We come to borrow some money, if you want to lend it to us.” “How much?” says the captain, and he put his hand in his pocket like he was going after a dime. “Right off we need eleven hundred dollars,” says Catty. “What?” says Captain Winton, like he couldn’t believe his ears. “Eleven hundred dollars,” says Catty, and then before the captain could get up and throw us out he went on and told why he wanted it, and what he was going to do with it, and how he could pay it back. “Why didn’t your father come?” the captain said. “He didn’t think you’ld lend it.” “Um!... Contract with Witherspoon, eh? Got it signed and all?” “Yes.” “Where is it?” “I fetched it for you to see.” “Um!...” The captain looked it over. “Willing to put up this contract as security?” he says. “’Course,” says Catty. “I’m going to lend it to you, and I’ll tell you why,” says the captain. “In the first place, it is good business for me and the bank. A bank makes its money by lending to folks at interest. The more it lends where it knows it will be paid back the more it makes. Then, a bank has to help a community to grow and develop. Nothing like a good bank to make a town. We furnish the capital, and men build houses with it, and start stores and factories. Then they come and deposit the money _they_ make in the bank. Then the bank has more to lend to somebody else, and it makes more money. Kind of an endless chain. Really, our business is helping other folks to build up their businesses. See?” “Yes,” says Catty. “I’ve had my eye on you and your father. I know about this young Phillips that’s gone in with you. It was a good move. I know what the women of this town are trying to do to you, and how you’ve acted. _I_ think you are honest. You are going at things right. Somehow, tramps or no tramps, I’ve got confidence in you folks. Is it true,” he says, “that you are teaching your father manners so he’ll be equipped to meet folks when he’s a successful business man?” “Yes,” says Catty. “Learning them yourself, too?” “Yes, sir.” “Good!” says the captain. “It’s the kind of thing banks take into consideration. Didn’t know that, did you?... Um!... It shows you mean to succeed. The will to succeed is a fine asset, my boy, and I’m proving it to you. Because it is one of the reasons I’m loaning you this money. Get your father and Phillips to come and sign a note and the money will be here for them.... Good luck to you.” “Thank you, sir,” says Catty.