This made Ralph laugh, and when he hung up the telephone receiver he felt better. He knew he had a friend at headquarters who would do his best to look out for his interests.
That afternoon, however, he had the sample of Mr. Hopkins’ dislike for him that he had expected. When he left the railroad building and walked down South Main Street to do an errand for his mother, he saw a little electric runabout take the crossing at Hammerby Street and turn toward one of the big department stores. He knew the car at a glance, for he had seen Cherry Hopkins and her mother driving it many times.
The women entered the store and Ralph went on about his business. Half an hour later he was returning when he spied several young men walking ahead of him toward the department store into which Mrs. Hopkins and Cherry had disappeared. One of these fellows the train dispatcher identified as Whitey Malone.
As the gang lurched along the sidewalk, taking up more than their share of the way, Ralph fell to a slower pace and watched them. Opposite the Hopkins car the gang halted. Whitey stooped and seemed to be examining the wheels on that side. Ralph quickened his pace, for he had a feeling that Whitey Malone would do almost any mean trick which might hurt any of the Hopkins family.
In a moment Malone got to his feet and started after his friends. A small boy walking near Ralph began to giggle.
“What’s all the joy, kid?” the young dispatcher asked curiously.
“Didn’t you see that?” demanded the youngster.
“I didn’t see anything, I guess,” rejoined the puzzled Ralph.
“That white-headed feller turned a cute trick then. Say, they are all doing it! I seen a car last night—”
At that moment Mrs. Hopkins and Cherry came out of the store. A clerk followed them with bundles. The girl jumped in first and started the motor. In half a minute her mother and the bundles were likewise stowed away and the door of the car slammed.