remiss of you," said Mr. Crips.

"And, furthermore, I remember you well. Two years ago I was on a charity
committee that inquired into your case. You were then the son of a
Queensland Judge, reduced to poverty by wild living, but anxious to
return to respectable courses."

Nickie grinned again, and took up his hat. "It is as you say." he said,
"a truly delicious morning for a stroll. I think I'll go and watch the
grass grow. Good-day, Mr. Nippit."

The young clergyman arose and interposed between Nickie and the door.
"You will stay where you are," he said. "Sit down."

Nickie sat down. He placed his hat very carefully on the carpet, folded
his arms, and crossed his legs. "You are very kind," he said. "May I ask
if a compulsory lunch goes with this unwarrantable detention?"

"That remains to be seen," replied James. "I am going to offer you your
choice of two courses. You will either submit yourself to my deliberate
intention of making a good, clean, respectable, industrious member of
society of you, or you will walk out of this place into gaol."

Nickie's mind was made up instantly, but he did not capitulate in too
great a hurry; he talked of conditions, and asked for details of his
expected regeneration. The Rev. Nippit explained his belief that all men
had in them the elements of decency, order and religion. Those elements
only needed proper opportunities for development. He purposed giving
Nickie the opportunities. He needed a handy man about the house; Nickie
was to have the job. He would be expected to bathe every day, to shave
every day, and observe the decencies of the well-ordered home.

"And you are prepared to believe you can reform me?" said Nickie the Kid.

"I am not only prepared to believe it--I am determined to believe it,"
said the young clergyman, thumping the table.

Nickie smiled again. "I submit myself to the experiment" he said, "but
promise nothing. I don't think you will succeed. Your intentions are
good, but mine are not, and it takes two to make a bargain."

Nickie entered his new duties at once. After lunch he took a shovel into
the garden and toyed with the earth a while, and then he went to sleep
under a tree. The Rev. Nippit awakened him and talked with him in a firm
but kindly spirit on the virtues of honest dealings with one's employer,
and the necessity of industry to keep the world wagging, Nickie'
graciously admitted that it was all very true. But when set to clean out
the fow