qually as silly. Can you imagine anything
more idiotic than that? Dad is worth millions and he expects me to
work!"

"What an inhuman parent!" says Alex. "What have you got against work?"

"My dear fellow," says Arnold, "I don't really know. I don't seem able
to get enthusiastic about it--that's all. I wouldn't mind going down
to Dad's office and toying with an adding machine or driving nails in
packing cases, but I'm sure I'd fall asleep on the job, or something
idiotic like that! You might say I lack the urge," he yawns and grins.
"I guess I wasn't built to hustle. I haven't got the pep, as we used
to say at--"

"Listen!" butts in Alex, his eyes beginnin' to glitter. "You was built
the same as anybody else, only thinner. I know what's the matter with
you--c'mere, I'll show you!" He takes Arnold by the arm and leads him
over to the Gaflooey chummy roadster. "D'ye see that automobile
there?" he says. "Look at it. What is it--nothin' but a pile of metal
and wood! It can't talk, it can't think--but it's got a little button
down there in the dash and when you push it, that car will keep on
runnin' till the gasoline gives out or it hits a tree! That button's
called a self-commencer and that's what you need! Ain't there no
buttons up in your head that you can push and get yourself goin'? Is
that pile of metal better than you? You can go down now and take a job
where you won't get your hands dirty, but if your Dad hadn't been a
self-starter fifty years ago, _you'd_ be callin' a Wop foreman 'Boss'
to-day and likin' it!"

Arnold stops yawnin' and looks interested, where he don't look mad.
Margot nods her head and puts her hand on his arm.

"Arnold dear," she says, "he's right! It's time you did try to do
something, especially now. I don't want to lecture you, dear, but--"

"I don't know whether he's right or not," says Arnold, "but I do know
that extraordinary speech of his has me thinking. Also, it sounded
great to me and there's no reason why it shouldn't sound just as great
to Dad! He loves that sort of thing and I'm going up and repeat it,
word for word! I'm going to tell him we're married and that I'll start
to work for him whenever he likes. I can try it, anyhow!"

Margot looks at Alex like she would kiss him if it wasn't for the looks
of the thing, and Alex whispers in my ear that the Gaflooey roadster is
as good as sold. We all got in it--it was runnin' like a watch
now--and roll up to t