"I haven't done it all myself, Mickey," explained Douglas. "I happened to select a father who was of an acquisitive turn of mind. He left me enough that I can have a comfortable living in a small way, from him." "Gee! It's lucky you got the Joy Lady then!" exclaimed Mickey. "Maybe you wouldn't ever work if you didn't have her to scratch for!" "I always have worked and tried to make something of myself," said Douglas. "Yes, I guess you have," conceded Mickey. "I think it shows when a man does. It just shows a lot on you." "Thank you, Mickey! Same to you!" "Aw, nix on me!" said Mickey. "I ain't nothing on looks! I ain't ever looked at myself enough that if I was sent to find Michael O'Halloran I mightn't bring in some other fellow." "But you're enough acquainted with yourself that you wouldn't bring in a dirty boy with a mouth full of swearing and beer," suggested Douglas. "Well not this evening!" cried Mickey. "On a gamble that ain't my picture!" "If it were, you wouldn't be here!" said Douglas. "No, nor much of any place else 'cept the gutters, alleys, and the police court," affirmed Mickey. "That ain't my style! I'd like to be--well--about like you." "You are perfectly welcome to all I have and am," said Douglas. "If you fail to take advantage of the offer, it will be your own fault." "Yes, I guess it will," reflected Mickey. "You gave me the chance. I am to blame if I don't cop on to it, and get in the game. I like you fine! Your work is more interesting than odd jobs on the street, and you pay like a plute. You're being worked though. You pay too much. If I work for you it would save you money to let me manage that; I could get you help and things a lot cheaper, then you could spend what you save on the Joy Lady, making her more joyous." "You are calling Miss Winton the Joy Lady?" "Yes," said Mickey. "Doesn't she just look it?" "She surely does," agreed Douglas. "It's a good title. I know only two that are better. She sows happiness everywhere. What about your Lily girl and her doll?" "Doll doesn't go. That's a Precious Child!" "I see! Lily is a little girl you like, Mickey?" "Lily is the littlest girl you ever saw," answered Mickey, "with a bad back so that she hasn't ever walked; and she's so sweet--she's the only thing I've got to love, so I love her 'til it hurts. Her back is one thing I'm saving for. I'm going to have it Carreled as soon as I get money, and she grows strong enough to stand it." "'Carreled?'" queried Douglas wonderingly. "You know the man who put different legs on a dog?" said Mickey. "I often read about him in papers I sell. I think he can fix her back. But not yet. A Sunshine Nurse I know says nobody can help her back 'til she grows a lot stronger and fatter. She has to have milk and be rubbed with oil, and not be jerked for a while before it's any use to begin on her back." "And has she the milk and the oil and the kindness?"