"Hello, Doc," said Sam, familiarly, "what you got to say about the show?" The doctor, not caring to listen to a long argument, continued on his way without replying.
"Didn't that show beat all creation?" was Sam's greeting as he entered the store after his encounter with the doctor. "And did you notice the crowd? They can say all they're a mind to 'gainst advertisin', but I say it pays. That hall wouldn't have been half-full if I hadn't taken hold."
Alick Purbeck came in from the back room in time to hear enough of what Sam said to know what he was blowing about.
"Say, Sam, can't you tell us now who put you up to that advertisin' scheme?" he asked.
"I dunno's that's any of your business," replied Sam, sulkily.
"No, it ain't," said Alick, "but I happen to know that it kicked up a row in the church and the woman's club, and folks do say that it was Miss Sawyer that put the idea into your head."
"Well," drawled Sam, "I won't deny that she said somethin', but she didn't do nothin'. I'm the only one responsible."
"Just as I thought," said Alick, knowingly. "I knew you'd been hangin' round her some this winter."
"Yes, you most always know everything that's goin' on," retorted Sam. "Back doors can't keep their mouths shut."
Alick resented this remark, and the resentment was in the form of a rotten apple which struck the offender full in the mouth.