"Run in and get some dinner, Joe," said Mr. Terry after his return to the store.
"But I was going home," replied Joe bashfully.
"Oh! never mind. We will throw in the dinner."
So Joe ran around, but hesitated at the door of Mrs. Terry's clean kitchen. She was motherly and cordial, however, and gave him a bright smile.
"I told Mr. Terry that you might as well come in here for your dinner. It is quite a long run home."
"You are very kind," stammered Joe, feeling that he must say something, in spite of his usual readiness of speech deserting him.
"You ought to have an apron, Joe, or a pair of overalls," she said kindly. "You will find grocery business rather dirty work sometimes."
"And my best clothes!" thought Joe with a sigh.
But the coffee was so delightful, and the cold roast beef tender as a chicken. And Joe began to think it was possible for a few things to work together for good, if they were only the right kind of things.