such a popular and
much-sought-for man as he. He was wanted everywhere by everybody.
People felt aggrieved if they had to go away without at least a hearty
"How do you do?" from Whit. There were several attendants, quite
dashing young men, but they were mere ciphers compared to the "boss."

Accompanied by Mr. Walker and Patty, whom he chose as the companion of
our explorations, we went upstairs and downstairs, and left no corner
of the Emporium unvisited.

"Aren't you afraid to leave so many things outside on the verandah?" I
asked. "Suppose they should be stolen?"

The great man only laughed, but a lanky customer who overheard drawled
out:

"What, steal from Whit Walker of Hermann's Corners? Wa'al, I guess the
skunk mean enough to do that would get himself lynched by every decent
chap in this darned county."

"I've got one friend, you see, Princess," chuckled my king of the
Emporium.

"You've got two," said I.

"Well, now, that's mighty pretty of you. Say, do you mean it, honour
bright?"

"Honour bright," I repeated.

"Then I wonder if I might ask a little favour of you?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"I'll tell you before we part. But come on down now, girls. I want you
should both choose a present to take home."

We picked our way down the steep stairs, littered with the overflow
from shelves and counters. In the principal "show room," if one could
call it that, he pressed us to accept some jewellery--poor stuff, but
the best he had, and he ingenuously admired it. We steadfastly refused,
however, and Patty took a Japanese fan, while I selected several choice
specimens of chewing gum, as being novel and characteristic.

By this time the "ice cream festival" was beginning. It was held in a
vacant lot behind the Emporium, and a canvas awning had been put up
over two or three dozen bare tables on the grass. Several employees of
the "store"--extra hands, perhaps--were kept frantically busy ladling
out from huge freezers into earthenware saucers big slabs of frozen
custard. All the gallant young beaux of the neighbourhood "treated" the
girls they wished to favour, and spent ten cents a saucer for the "ice
cream," with a big sugared "cooky" thrown in. The great Whit himself
invited me to sit down with him, so Mr. Brett who had been coming up to
ask Patty and me both, perhaps, whisked Patty away, leaving me to Mr.
Walker.

"Now, I'll tell you that favour I want," said he. "I hope you won't
think I'm presumi