I began to feel rather pleased that Stigler was starting that five-and-ten-cent store next to me! It seemed to have shaken me into action. I believed that, with a good window display in those empty stores for a week, I could work up a lot of business and get a lot of valuable publicity into the bargain.
When I mentioned the idea to Betty, she didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then she said very demurely:
"Dawson, you can have two more buckwheat cakes this morning."
CHAPTER XXIII
TRADING STAMPS
Bulder, the Garter trading stamp man, called according to arrangement.
"Good morning, Mr. Black," he said heartily, as he entered the store. "Well, I don't think we'll have much difficulty in getting this little matter fixed up to-day. It is going to mean a big thing for you, and you can be quite sure that the Garter Trading Stamp Company is going to be at the back of you to make this thing a big success."
He spoke quite confidently, as if he were sure I was going to take them up. And indeed I had been all along practically decided to adopt them.
"That's fine," I said in response to Bulder's greeting. "I want you, however, to meet Mr. Fellows, who is waiting in my office." I saw a faint change take place in Bulder's manner. He seemed at once to become a little suspicious and on his guard.
"Fellows? Fellows?" he replied. "Oh, one of your men?"