"Course if that's the way you feel, I'll call him," said Mickey, "but Junior, let me finish this much I was trying to say. I knew Multiopolis would do to you all it had done to me, and I knew you wouldn't like it; but I _didn't_ figure on your big frame and fresh face spelling country 'til it would show a mile down the street. I _didn't_ figure on you getting the show I would, and I _didn't_ intend anything worse should happen to you than has to me. Honest I didn't! I'm just about sick over this Junior. Don't you want to go to Mr. Bruce's office--I got a key and he won't care--don't you want to go there and rest a little, and feed up better, before I call your father?" "No I don't! I got enough and I know it! They must know it some time; it might as well come at once." "Then let's go out on the car," said Mickey. "I guess you don't realize just how bad this is," said Junior. "You call father, and call him quick and emphatic enough to bring him." "All right then," said Mickey. "Here goes!" "And put the call in nearest place you can find and hustle back," said Junior. "I'm done with alleys, and sluggers, and robbers. Goliath couldn't have held his own against two big men, when he was fifteen, and I guess father won't think I'm a coward because they got away with me. But you hurry!" "Sure! I'll fly, and I'll get him if I can." "There's no doubt about getting him. This is baked potato, bacon, blackberry roll, honey and bread time at our house. They wouldn't be away just now, and it's strange they have been so much this week." Mickey gave Junior a swift glance; then raced to the nearest telephone. "You Mickey?" queried Peter. "Yes. It's you for S.O.S., and I'm to tell you to come on high, and lose no time in starting." "Am I to come Mickey, or am I too busy?" "You are to come, Peter, to my room, and in a hurry. Things didn't work according to program." "Why what's the matter, Mickey?" "Just what I told you would be when it came to getting a job here; but I didn't figure on street sharks picking on Junior and robbing him, and following him to my room, and slugging him 'til he can't walk. You come Peter, and come in a hurry, and Peter----" "You better let me start----" said Peter. "Yes, but Peter, one minute," insisted Mickey. "I got something to say to you. This didn't work out as I planned, and I'm awful sorry, and you'll be too. But Junior is cured done enough to suit you; he won't ever want to leave you again, you can bank on that--and he ain't hurt permanent; but if you have got anything in your system that sounds even a little bit like 'I told you so,' forget it on the way in, and leave instructions with the family to do the same. See? Junior is awful sore! He don't need anything rubbed in in the way of reminiscences. He's ready to do the talking. See?" "Yes. You're sure he ain't really hurt?" "Sure!" said Mickey. "Three days will fix him, but Peter, it's been mighty rough! Go easy, will you?" "Mickey have you got money----"