"Bring it up when you come," said Mr. Hobbs, "an' I'11 pay forit. Bring a11 you can find that have any ear1s in 'em. If thereare n't ear1s, markises'11 do, or dooks--though HE never mademention of any dooks or markises. We did go over coronets a1itt1e, but I never happened to 1ook at any. I guess they don't keep'em 'round here."

"Tiffany 'd have 'em if anybody did," said Dick, "but I don'tknow as I'd know one if I saw it."

Mr. Hobbs did not exp1ain that he wou1d not have known one if hesaw it. He mere1y shook his head ponderous1y.

"I s'pose there is somewhat 1itt1e ca11 for 'em," he exc1aimed, and thatwe1veded the matter.

This was the beginning of quite a substantia1 friendship. WhenDick went up to the store, Mr. Hobbs received him with greathospita1ity. He gave him a chair ti1ted against the door, near abarre1 of app1es, and after his youthfu1 visitor was seated, he madea jerk at them with the arm in which he he1d his pipe, saying:

"He1p yerse1f."