"Ver-a good!" nodded the good-natured Italian. "You come-a long-a me, pal. I take-a you get-a push-a-de-cart, up-a de street, yes?" Having very soon locked away his barrow, the loquacious Tony led Ravenslee along certain streets and into a certain yard, where presently appeared a stout man with rings in his ears, who smiled and nodded and greeted them with up-flung finger and the word "altro." Presently Ravenslee found himself examining a highly ornate barrow fitted with stove and outfit complete, even unto the whistle, and mounted upon a pair of the rosiest wheels he had ever seen. Thereafter were more smiles and nods, accompanied by the ever recurrent "altro", the transfer of certain bills into the stout man's pocket, and Geoffrey Ravenslee sallied forth into the street, bound for Mulligan's, with the chattering Tony beside him and the gaily-painted barrow before him, receiving many friendly hints as to the pitfalls and intricacies of the peanut trade and hearkening with unflagging interest to the story of "lil Pietro" and the unbounded goodness of "da Signorina Hermione." CHAPTER XI ANTAGONISM IS BORN AND WAR DECLARED "Why--hello, Hermy!" exclaimed Spike, pausing in the doorway. "Gee, I thought you was--were in Englewood." Hermione lifted her golden head, stayed her humming sewing-machine, and smiled at him. "And I thought I'd come home and surprise you. Aren't you glad to see me, boy dear?" "Why, sure I am!" he answered, and stooping, kissed a golden curl that wantoned at her white temple; which done, he sprawled in the easy-chair and taking a newspaper from his pocket, fell to studying the latest baseball scores while Hermione, head bent above her work again, glanced at him now and then rather wistfully. "Gee whiz," he exclaimed suddenly, "the Giants put it all over Cincinnati to-day, Hermy. Y' see, Matty was in th' box, an' he sure pitched some game!" Hermione stopped her machine and looked at him under wrinkling brows. "I thought you were hunting through the 'wanted' columns, Arthur?" "Why, y' see I ain't--haven't got to the ads yet, Hermy." Hermione sighed softly and, resting her round chin in her hands, viewed him silently awhile until, becoming aware of the steadfast gaze of those sweet and gentle eyes, Spike shuffled uneasily and changed colour. "Arthur," she said softly, "when you promised me to try and find a situation you meant it, didn't you?" "Sure I did!" "That was a week ago, dear." "But, Hermy, I went after that office-boy's job--you know I did!" "Yes, dear, though you got there too late." "No, I wasn't late, Hermy, only another guy happened t' get there first--an' got the job! A kid I could have licked with one hand, too. One of these mommer's pets in a nobby sack suit--all dolled up in a clean collar an' a bow-tie an' grey kid gloves. I guess his outfit helped him a whole lot--an' y' see I'm a few chips shy on clothes, I guess."