"Mr. Keith," said a tall, dark youth, with a pronounced Southern accent, "I want foh to make you acquainted with Mr. Tayloh. Mr. Tayloh is at once the patron saint of the Monumentals, but to a large extent its 'angel' as well--I hope you understand the theatrical significance of that term, suh. He is motheh, fatheh, guardeen, and dry nurse to every stick, stone, and brick, every piece of wood, brass, or rubbah, every inch of hose, and every man _and_ Irishman on these premises." Taylor had turned an embarrassed brick red. "Mr. Keith," went on the dark youth, explanatorily, "was just sayin' that though he had inspected carefully many fire equipments, per'fessional and amateur, he had nevah feasted his eyes on so complete an outfit as that of our Monumentals." Keith had not said all this, but possibly he had meant it. The brick-red, stocky little man was so plainly embarrassed and anxious to depart that Keith racked his brains for something to say. All he could remember was the manufacturer's nameplate on the machine downstairs. "I see you have selected the Hunaman engine, sir," said he. The little man's eye brightened. "It may be, sir, that you favour the piano-box type--of the sort made by Smith or Van Ness?" he inquired politely. "It is a point on which my opinion is still-suspended," replied Keith with great gravity. The little man moved nearer, and his shyness fell from him. "Oh, but really there is no choice, none whatever!" he cried. "I'm sure, sir, I can convince you in five minutes. I assure you we have gone into the subject thoroughly--this Hunaman cost us over five thousand dollars; and you may be certain we went very thoroughly into the matter before making the investment----" He went on talking in his self-effacing, deprecatory, but very earnest fashion. The other men in the group, Keith felt, were watching with covert amusement. Occasionally, he thought to catch half-concealed grins at his predicament. In less than the five minutes the claims of the piano box were utterly demolished. Followed a dissertation on methods of fighting fire; and then a history of the Monumental Company--its members, its officers, and its proud record. "And our bell--did you know that?--is the bell used by the Vigilantes--" He broke off suddenly in confusion, his embarrassment descending on him again. A moment later he sidled away. "But I found him very interesting!" protested Keith, in answer to implied apologies. "Bert is invaluable here; but he's a lunatic on fire apparatus. We couldn't get along without him, but it's sometimes mighty difficult to get on _with_ him," said some one.