He managed his introductions very well, while again Peaches justified her appellation by being temptingly sweet and conspicuously acid. When Mickey reached Peter in his round of making friends acquainted, he slid his arm through that of the big man and said smilingly: "Nobody is going to mix me with Peter's son by blood--see what a fine chap Junior is; but Peter and I fixed up my sonship with the Almighty, whom my Peter didn't deny, when he took me in, and with the judge of the Multiopolis courts; so even if it doesn't show on the outside, I belong, don't I?" Peter threw his left arm around Mickey even as he shook hands with his right: "You surely do," he said, "by law and by love, to the bottom of all our hearts." The visit was a notable success. The buttermilk was cold, the spice cake was fresh, the apples and peaches were juicy, the improvements highly commendable. Peter was asked if he would consider a membership in the Golf Club, the playhouse was discussed, and three hours later a group of warm friends parted, with the agreement that Mickey was to spend a day of the latter part of the week fishing on Atwater. The Hardings smiled broadly. "Well son, did we manage that to your satisfaction?" asked Peter. "Sure!" said Mickey. "I might have been mistaken in what half of that trip was for, but I think not." "So do I," said Mrs. Harding emphatically. "They were just itching to get their fingers on Peaches; while Bruce and Mr. Winton both were chagrined over our getting you first." "We feel bad about that too, don't we, Peter?" laughed Mickey. "Well, I would," said Peter, "if it were the other way around. I didn't mind the young fellow. You'll be with him every day, and he'll soon have boys of his own no doubt; but I feel sorry for Mr. Winton. He looks hungry when he watches you. He could work you into his business fine." "He's all right, he's a nice man," said Mickey, "but I've lived off the _Herald_ all my life 'til this summer, so when school is over I go straight to Mr. Chaffner." The Winton car ran to the club house; sitting in a group, the occupants looked at each other rather foolishly. "Seems to me you were going to bring Peaches right along, if you liked her, Leslie," laughed Douglas. "The little vixen!" she said flushing. "Sorry you didn't care for her," he commented. "It is a pity!" said Leslie. "But I didn't 'miss bringing her along' any farther than Mrs. Minturn missed taking her to the hospital to be examined and treated!" "I'll have to go again about that," said Mrs. Minturn. "I just couldn't seem to get at it, someway."