s--needin' to bad. Say--"

He broke off and turned alertly to the door. A sound of voices reached
them, and a moment later Sandy Joyce and Toby stood grinning in the
doorway.

"Gee!" cried Sunny. "Gettin' quite a party."

"I'm real pleased you folks come along," Scipio declared warmly. He
stood up and looked round uncertainly. "Say," he went on, his pale
face flushing a little ruefully, "come right in, boys. I don't see
jest where you're goin' to sit. Maybe the table's good an' strong.
This chair'll do for one."

But Toby would have none of it.

"Set you down, Zip," he cried. "I got this doorway. Guess the table'll
fit Sandy. He's kind o' high in his notions. I jest see Bill comin'
along up from the river. Looked like he was comin' this way. How's the
kids?"

"Why, bully," said Scipio amiably. "Y'see, I got 'em fixed right all
right since Sunny wrote out those regulations for me. Those
regulations are jest dandy, and I'm desperate obliged to him. A feller
would need to be a bum sort of fool, anyhow, who couldn't fix kids
right with it all set out so careful. There sure are things set down
there I'd never have thought of--an' I'm their father, too." He paused
and glanced nervously round at the friendly faces. Then, with evident
anxiety, he hurried on. "I was just thinkin'," he exclaimed, "maybe
some hot coffee wouldn't come amiss. Y'see, I ain't no rye. Guess I'll
make that coffee right away. I got water cooking on the stove. I was
goin' to use it for bathin' the kids, but--"

His visitors exchanged swift glances, and Sunny broke in. "Don't do
it, Zip," he said with an amiable grin. "These boys don't figger to
unpickle their vitals with no sech truck as coffee. Say"--his eyes
wandered to where his carefully written regulations were posted,
"talkin' o' baths, have you physicked the kids right?"

Scipio, feeling somewhat relieved, returned to his chair and lodged
himself upon its edge. He could not settle himself at his ease.
Somehow he felt that these men were entirely his superior in all those
things which count for manhood; and the kindness of such a visit
rather overwhelmed him. Then, too, he was sincerely regretting his
inadequate hospitality. Now he became nervously enthusiastic.

"I sure did," he cried eagerly. "Those physics were real elegant. If
you'll tell me what they cost you, Sunny, I'll square up now. How--"

He pulled out some money, but the loafer waved it aside with
ridiculous dignity.

"Thi