we'd like most of all is the ground glass," said another
girl. "Is it chocolate or vanilla flavor?" At which they all giggled,
while the man smiled broadly.

"What flavor glass are you going to have, Esther?" a girl asked.

"Oh, I think I'll take cathedral glass," caroled forth another; "I think
it's more digestible than window glass, if it's properly cooked." At
which there was another chorus of laughter.

The terrible conqueror, who intended to subdue this bevy of giggling
maidens and cast a blight upon their levity, stood behind his counter
like a soldier making a last stand in a third line trench, while Pepsy,
captivated by the mirthful assailants, laughed uncontrollably.

The head of this firm saw that this was no time for dallying measures,
his own partner was laughing, and even Wiggle was barking uproariously
at Pee-wee as if he had shamelessly gone over to the enemy.

"Oh, If, It's just--too--excruciatingly funny or anything!" one of the
girls laughed. "I never in my life heard of such--Oh, look at him! Look
at him! Hold me or I'll collapse!"

Pee-wee had come around from behind the counter, tripped on his long
white apron and gone sprawling on the ground, and the faithless Wiggle,
taking advantage of this inglorious mishap, started pulling on the apron
with all his might and main. Loyal Pepsy was only human, and tears of
laughter streamed down her cheeks, and the neighboring woodland echoed
to the sound of the unholy mirth in the auto.

A large frying fork which Pee-wee used as a sort of magnet to attract
trade was still in his hand and by means of this he caught his white
paper cap as it blew away, piercing it as if it were a fresh doughnut.
It was indeed the only instance of triumph for him in the tragic affair.
He arose, with Wiggle still tugging at his apron, his face decorated
with colorful earth, his eyes glaring defiance.

The driver of the auto, who seemed to be a kindly man, put an end to
this unequal and hopeless struggle of the scout by ordering a round of
lemonade and purchasing fifty cents' worth of doughnuts. "When you have
a few minutes to spare," he said in a companionable undertone, "stroll
up the road and look about; the scenery is beautiful."

"What do you mean?" Pee-wee demanded.

"And be sure to take some salted spark plugs with you in case you get
lost in the woods," one of the girls chirped teasingly as the auto
started.

And the victim distinctly heard another say, as the big