red asked what she thought we ought to do
next.

"The first thing to settle," she said decidedly, "is Midas! He can help
us in a dozen ways if he will, for he is really wonderfully handy for a
boy of his age. He will do nothing unless we consult him formally, and
make a definite business arrangement, but it pleases him and won't hurt
us, as it will be only a few coppers. He is saving up for a motor-car
at the present moment, and Wallace says that by steady attention to
business he really believes he will get one by the time he is sixty."

We called Midas in and consulted him professionally. He is tall and
lanky, and has pale blue eyes with long light eyelashes. You would
think to look at him that he was a gentle, unworldly creature, addicted
to poetry, but he isn't! He sat astride the table and viewed the
landscape o'er.

"The first thing will be to take every stick of furniture out of the
room, and have the carpet up. I know what girls are when they do jobs
of this kind. You will be up to your eyes in paste, and it won't be
safe to leave anything within touching distance. The furniture must be
removed and stored. I'll store it for you in my room. Then you'll need
a ladder, and some planks for the lengths of paper to lie on, while you
paste 'em. I'll hire you the old shutter from the drawing-room."

"The shutters are as much mine as yours," said Lorna. "I don't need to
hire them; I can have them if I want!"

"That's where you show your ignorance, my dear. They are in my
possession, and I won't give them up without compensation. Then you'll
need a man to assist in the hanging!"

"Say a boy at once, and name your price, and be done with it. You are a
regular Shylock!"

Midas grinned as if pleased with the compliment, drew a pocket-book and
a stubby end of a pencil from his pocket, and began alternately stroking
his chin and jotting down words and figures. Lorna grimaced at me
behind his back, but kept a stern expression for his benefit. I suppose
she knew that if he saw her smile prices would go up. Presently he drew
a line, tore the leaf out of the book and handed it across with a bow.

"My estimate, ladies! It is always more satisfactory to have an
agreement beforehand."

I peeped over Lorna's shoulder and read--

Estimate For Proposed Renovations.

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|To Removal of furniture |1|9|
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