There was something in Phil's look and manner when he was in earnest which effectually quelled the levity of his little admirer. The appeal to him for aid, also, had a sedative effect. As Phil went on, Pax became quite as serious as himself. This power of Pax to suddenly discard levity, and become interested, was indeed one of the qualities which rendered him powerfully attractive to his friend. "The fact is," continued Phil, "I have set my heart on forming a literary association among the telegraph-boys." "A what?" "A literary association. That is, an association of those boys among us who want to read, and study: and discuss, and become knowing and wise." The daring aspirations suggested by this proposition were too much for little Pax. He remained silent--open mouthed and eyed--while Phil went on quietly to expound his plans. "There is a capital library, as you know, at the Post-Office, which is free to all of us, though many of us make little use of it--more's the pity,--so that we don't require a library of our own, though we may come to that, too, some day, who knows? Sure it wouldn't be the first time that great things had come out of small beginnings, if all I have read be true. But it's not only books we would be after. What we want, Pax, is to be organised--made a body of. When we've got that done we shall soon put soul into the body,--what with debates, an' readings, an' lectures, an' maybe a soiree now and then, with music and speeches, to say nothing of tea an' cakes." As Phil Maylands warmed with his subject his friend became excited. He ceased to chaff and raise objections, and finally began to see the matter through Phil's rose-coloured glasses. "Capital," he exclaimed heartily. "It'll do, Phil. It'll work--like everything else you put your hand to. But"--here his chubby little visage elongated--"how about funds? Nothin' in this world gets along without funds; an' then we've no place to meet in." "We must content ourselves with funds of humour to begin with," returned Phil, resuming his work on the watch. "As for a meeting-room, wouldn't this do? Pegaway Hall is not a bad place, and quite enough room in it when the lumber's cleared out o' the way. Then, as to members, we would only admit those who showed a strong desire to join us." "Just so--who showed literary tastes, like you an' me," suggested Pax. "Exactly so," said Phil, "for, you see, I don't want to have our society flourished about in the eyes of people as a public Post-Office affair. We must make it private and very select." "Yes, _uncommon_ select," echoed Pax. "It would never do, you know," continued the other, "to let in every shallow young snipe that wanted to have a lark, and make game of the affair. We will make our rules very stringent."