“Just what I am, Dick,” replied the other, in a joyous fashion. “Tonight our new circulating library is going to be open to members for the first time. You know I was elected chief librarian, though in turn every fellow will have a chance to serve.”
“You’ve been working pretty hard on it, I understand, Peg?” continued Dick.
“I guess I have,” chuckled the other, in a pleased way. “I always put a lot of vim in anything I tackle. My dad says what’s worth doing at all is worth doing well, and I’m bound to keep that rule before me. I’ve hustled to gather up all the books that were offered for a starter.”
“How many have you on the shelves now, Peg?”
“Seventy-seven, and more promised,” explained the young librarian. “Besides, we are going to make out a list of thirty new ones that Mr. Holwell approves, and Leslie’s Uncle Henry says he will foot the bill.”
“That sounds great!” declared Dick; “and I’m glad for one you had that idea come to you. I wonder what Mr. Loft over at the Free Library thinks of this new scheme?”
“I heard that he sniffed some when he first heard of it. But after Mr. Holwell had a heart-to-heart talk with him, Mr. Loft seems to have drawn in his horns. Between you and me I think he’s seeing a new light. Mebbe he’s beginning to be afraid this may be the entering wedge that will lose him his nice job sooner or later.”
“I’d be sorry to hear that,” observed Dick. “Mr. Loft belongs to the Puritan days when a man didn’t dare kiss his wife on a Sunday. He ought to wake up and understand that this is the twentieth century, not the seventeenth.”
“I agree with you there,” said Peg, heartily. “And it may be Mr. Loft will learn something. It’s never too late for that, you know, Dick.”
“Guess you’re right,” admitted the other. “The case of Deacon Nocker proves it. He’s turned over a new leaf, let me tell you. Mrs. Nocker says he’s as kind as anything could be, and that both she and Billy are happy the livelong day.”