“I was only seeking a little relaxation,” the youth exclaimed woefully. “Surely you can’t blame me for that!” Ajax, taken aback, nevertheless grinned and stuck out his hand. “Put her there, sonny. I’m not sore. I just wanted to get you out of those bushes to congratulate you.” “_Congratulate_ him!” howled the Sailor. “For beaning me?” “Quiet, you,” hissed Ajax to his burly friend. The Sailor sank deep into his noisy sport coat. “Sonny,” Ajax continued to the boy, who was beaming again, “you are the first person who has ever been able to make a dent in my friend’s dome, outside of Four-arms Fogerty, the Venusian Terror. But that was years ago in the wrestling business.” “I am extremely happy that my antics pleased you,” the boy replied. He cast anxious looks up and down the path. “What’s the matter, kid?” Sailor Burns asked confidentially. “They after you for pinching the babysitter?” “Nothing as ridiculous as that,” the boy said. “However, I regret to say that I am being more or less pursued.” “Don’t your folks want you to play in the park?” Ajax asked, puffing deeply on his fragrant cigar. “Not my parents,” the lad answered. “My guardian.” “Oh,” replied Ajax, pushing the subject no further. “He was a colleague of my father’s, only I do not happen to find him congenial. I do not mind intellectual activity, in fact I find it refreshing, but a strict diet of that sort of thing is not healthy. My guardian refuses to let me indulge in childish play, and so I am forced to use deception.” “Sneak out on the bas... him, huh?” the Sailor grinned. The boy nodded. “Exactly. I confess I was disturbed by the glimmer in this large gentleman’s orbs when I propelled my missiles in his direction, but I trust that all has been forgiven.” “Sure,” the Sailor said heartily. “I was ready to bust you in the orbs, too, but I ain’t mad any more. I get what you’re driving at. This guardian of yours won’t let you go to the depthies on Saturday afternoon or play baseball with the kids, huh?” “No,” the lad replied. “He insists I keep in strict practice for my career.” “Career!” Ajax exclaimed. “How old _are_ you?” “Seven,” was the piping reply. “And what’s this career?” “Oh,” replied the youth offhandedly, “I’m a genius.” Suffice to say that it would not have taken a loaded sandbag to knock Fred Ajax into a horizontal position on the path. Since the boy aroused his curiosity and there was nothing waiting for him at the office of Ajax Enterprises except perhaps creditors, he soon found himself seated on a park bench with the boy, learning more of his peculiar background. The Sailor sprawled on the grass, intellectually lost but spiritually interested.