atifyin'. But if it hadn't been for the rest of you
that's helped me, the claptraption would never have been in any kind of
shape. 'Twould 'a' been just a hit-or-miss contrivance like the rest
of the idees I've got indoors. You see, I never had the schoolin' to
manage my notions, even when once I'd got 'em. I know that well
enough. So if I should get a patent on this thing, 'twould be mostly
due to you that's helped me, an' I thank you most humble." His voice
trembled with feeling. "After all you've done--the three of you--you
wouldn't expect me to take money from you for usin' the scheme, would
you? Take it an' welcome, an' may it bring luck to your business! But
there's one thing I would like," he added timidly. "If we should get
them patent papers from the government an' they ain't no particular use
to you, I'd like to keep 'em by me to read over now an' again. 'Twould
sorter make it all seem more real some way, an' less as if I'd dreamed
it. I've imagined this happenin' so many times an' woke up to find
'twas only imaginin's."

The blue eyes softened into mistiness.

"To think of gettin' a patent! To think of it! Celestina will be
glad. I'm afraid, by an' large, I've bothered her quite considerable
with my strings, an' spools, an' tacks, an' such. She'll like to know
some of 'em went for somethin', after all. The Brewsters an' Delight
will be pleased, too. An' there's Janoah! Oh, Janoah must be told
right away, Bob, quick's ever we can fetch it. 'Twill clear the air
'twixt him an' me, an' make us both happier. I ain't never been able
to convince him that if you put your trust in folks they seldom betray
it. Who knows but when he finds out what's happened he'll kitch _that_
idee? If he should, 'twould be worth all the inventions and patents in
the world put together. Look for the best, I say, an' you get it every
time," continued the little old man, with a smile of exquisite
serenity. "The universe is full of kindly souls with hearts a-beatin'
inside 'em same's yours. Meet 'em with your hands out, an' their hands
will come the other halfway."

"It is a pity you can't take out a patent on that notion, Mr. Spence,
and sow it broadcast," returned the New Yorker soberly.

Willie's gaze traveled with wistful and reverent faith across the
other's face to the sky above him.

"Somehow," he murmured, "I like to believe that idee was patented
centuries ago by One who put it right to work by belie