that cloth fell the severed bits of hair, flecking it with
gold. In what One-Eye described afterward as "jig-time," the last snip
was made. Then Johnnie had his neck dusted with a soft brush, the white
cloth was removed, and he stood up, shorn and proud.

Outside, several boys were hanging against the window, peering in. As
Johnnie settled his hat he recalled something Father Pat had once said
about the desirability of putting one's self in another person's place.
Johnnie did that, and realized what a fortunate boy he was--with his
wonderful friend at his side, his uniform on his back, and "a dandy hair
cut." So as he went out in One-Eye's wake, "Hullo!" he called to the
boys in the most cordial way.

"And I reckon we look some punkins?" the cowboy observed when they were
back in the flat once more.

"Shure," replied Father Pat, "and what's more civilizin' than a barber
shop!"

And now the question was, how could Cis view Johnnie in all his military
magnificence without putting that new uniform in danger? One-Eye had
the answer: he would be down in the area when Big Tom arrived from work,
"And off we'll go for see-gars," he plotted, "so the field'll be clear."

However, as he waited for Cis, Johnnie could not bring himself to take
too many chances with One-Eye's superb gift, and hid it, though he felt
hot enough, beneath Barber's big clothes (and how fortunate it was that
the longshoreman's cast-offs were voluminous enough to go over
everything). Thus doubly clad, he looked exceedingly plump and padded.
That was not the worst of it. The sleeves of the new coat showed. But
all he had to do was draw up over them that pair of Cis's stockings
which had kept his thin arms warm during the past winter. Of course his
leggings and the shoes also showed, so he took these off. Then
perspiring, but happy, he watched his two friends go, giving them a
farewell salute.

Cis came in promptly. "Oh, all day I've hardly been able to wait!" she
declared. Then with upraised hands, "Oh, Johnnie, how _beautiful_ you
are! Oh, you're like a picture! Like a picture I once saw of a boy who
sang in a church! Oh, Johnnie, you're the best-looking scout in all New
York! Yes, you are! And I'm going to kiss you!"

He let her, salving his slight annoyance thereat with the thought that
no one could see. "But don't say anythin' t' the Father 'r One-Eye about
me bein' beautiful," he pleaded. "Will y'? Huh?"

She promised she would not. "Oh, Johnni