"I can beat that," said Douglas. "I'm going to live beside a lake where I can swim every night and morning, and catch big bass, and live on strawberries from the vines and cream straight from the cow----" "I thought you'd get to the cow before long." "And you are invited to go out with me as often as you want to, and you may arrange to have Lily out too! Won't that be fine?" Mickey hesitated while his eyes grew speculative, before he answered with his ever ready: "Sure!" "Miss Winton made a plan for her father and me," explained Douglas. "She knew we would lose our vacations this summer, so she took an old cabin on Atwater, and moved out. We are to go back and forth each morning and evening. I never was at the lake before, but it's not far from the club house and it's beautiful. I think most of all I shall enjoy the swimming and fishing." "I haven't had experience with water enough to swim in," said Mickey. "A tub has been my limit. You'll have a fine time all right, and thank you for asking me. I think Miss Winton is great. Ain't it funny how many fine folks there are in the world? 'Most every one I meet is too nice for any use; but I don't know any Swell Dames, my people are just common folks." "You wouldn't call Miss Winton a 'Swell Dame,' then?" "Well I should say nix!" cried Mickey. "You wouldn't catch her motoring away to a party and leaving her baby to be slapped and shook out of its breath by a mad nurselady, 'cause she left it herself where the sun hurt its eyes. She wouldn't put a little girl that couldn't walk in any Orphings' Home where no telling what might happen to her! She'd fix her a Precious Child and take her for a ride in her car and be careful with her." "Are you quite sure about that Mickey?" "Surest thing you know," said Mickey emphatically. "Why look her straight in the eyes, and you can tell. I saw her coming away down the street, and the minute I got my peepers on her I picked her for a winner. I guess you did too." "I certainly did," said Douglas. "But it is most important that I be perfectly sure, so I should like to have your approval of my choice." "I guess you're kidding now," ventured Mickey. "No, I'm in earnest," said Douglas Bruce. "You see Mickey, as I have said before, your education and mine have been different, but yours is equally valuable." "What shall I do now? 'Scuse me, I mean--what do I mean?" asked Mickey. "To wait until I'm ready for you," suggested Douglas. "Sure!" conceded Mickey. "It's because I'm used to hopping so lively on the streets." "Do you miss the streets?" inquired Douglas. "Well not so much as I thought I would," said Mickey, "'sides in a way I'm still on the job, but I guess I'll get Henry's boy so he can go it all right. He seems to be doing fairly well; so does the old man." "Have you got him in training too?" asked Douglas.