To Johnnie this seemed a foolish remark. Love them? Who did not? "If you got another as good as this one," he went on, "I'd like t' buy it." The red-headed man took _Aladdin_. Then he shook his head. The group was moving away now, and he and Johnnie were to themselves. "I'm afraid this book would be hard to equal," he said earnestly. "They aren't writing any more just like it--which is a pity. But you stay here and I'll see what I can find." He gave _Aladdin_ back, and hurried off. There was a chair behind Johnnie. He sat down, his two precious books and the dollar on his knees. Then once more he looked up and around, marveling. He was aware that several of those who had been in the group were now talking together at a little distance. They seemed a trifle excited. The red-headed man joined them for a moment, listened to what they had to say, and took some money from each of them (Johnnie concluded that all were bookbuyers like himself) before hurrying on between two high walls of books. In anticipation of more literary possessions, Johnnie now slipped his two volumes inside the shirt, one to the right, one to the left, so that they would not meet and mar each other. When the red-headed man came back, he brought three books, all new and handsome. "I think you'll like these," he declared. "See--this one's called _The Legends of King Arthur and his Knights_, and this one is _The Last of the Mohicans_, and here's _Treasure Island_." "Much obliged," said Johnnie, heartily. His eyes shone as he gathered the books to him. His one thought now was to get away and read, read, read. Quickly he proffered the dollar bill. "Oh, you keep the money," said the red-headed man "You'll need it for something else. Take the books--compliments of the house!" "No!" Johnnie was aghast. He was used to paying for what he got--his food, his bed, his rent. "Oh, gee! I want to pay, Mister. I want 'em to be all mine.--But is there any change comin' back t' me?" Once more he heard laughter--from behind the pile of books nearest him; then that woman's voice again: "Oh, the darling! The darling!" Even as she spoke, she moved into sight. Johnnie had heard ladies speak about him in just that way before. He knew that if they came near to him it was to lay hands on his yellow mop. He wanted none of that sort of thing here, in this glorious house full of books, before all these men. "Your books came out just a dollar even," replied the red-headed man. "Thank y', Mister!" Johnnie, his new purchases clasped tight, sidled quickly toward the street. "Sha'n't I wrap 'em up for you?" called the other.