"Don't you think you could earn more with me, and in the winter at least, be more comfortable?" asked Douglas. "Winter!" cried Mickey, his face whitening. "Yes," said Douglas. "The newsboys always look frightfully cold in winter." "Winter!" It was a piteous cry. "What is it, Mickey?" questioned Bruce kindly. "You know I _forgot_ it," he said. "I was so took up with what I was doing, and thinking right now, that I forgot a time ever was coming when it gets blue cold, and little kids freeze. Gee! I almost wish I hadn't thought of it. I guess I better sell my paper business, and come with you all day. I _know_ I could earn more. I just sort of _hate_ to give up the papers. I been at them so long. I've had such a good time. 'I like to sell papers!' That's the way I always start my cry, and I do. I just love to. I sell to about the same bunch every morning, and most of my men know me, and they always say a word, and I like the rush and excitement and the things that happen, and the looking for chances on the side----" "There's messenger work in my business." "I see! I like that! I like your work all right," said Mickey. "Gimme a few days to sell my route to the best advantage I can, and I'll come all day. I'll come for about a half what you are paying now." "But you admit you need money urgently." "Well not so urgently as to skin a friend to get it--not even with the winter I hadn't thought of coming. Gee--I don't know just what I am going to do about that." "For yourself, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. "Well in a way, yes," hesitated Mickey. "There are things to _think_ about! Gee I got to hump myself while the sun shines! If you say so, then I'll get out of the paper business as soon as I can; and I'll begin work for you steady at noon to-morrow. I've seen you pay out over seven to-day. I'll come for six. Is it a bargain?" "No," said Douglas, "it isn't! The janitor bill was for a week of half-done work. The messenger bill was for two days, no caddying at all. If you come you will come for not less than eight and what you earn extra over that. I don't agree to better service for less pay. If you will have things between us on a commercial basis, so will I." "Oh the Big Brother business would be all right--with you," conceded Mickey, "but I don't just like the way it's managed, mostly. God didn't make us brothers no more than he did all men, so we better not butt in and try to fix things over for Him. Looks to me like we might cut the brother business and just be _friends_. I could be an awful good _friend_ to you, honest I could!" "And I to you Mickey," said Douglas Bruce, holding out his hand. "Have it as you will. Friends, then! Look for you at noon to-morrow. Now we play. Hop in and we'll run to my rooms and get my clubs." "Shall I sit up with your man?" asked Mickey.