I asked Charlie Martin what he thought of it. He said, "It's fine, and if you used the word vigilance instead of humping—why you would be only about twenty-five hundred years behind the fellow who originated it!"
The day Betty was to return I was at the station at 3:30, although her train wasn't due 'till 3:55—and then the train was fifteen minutes late! How I fumed and fretted at the inefficiency of our railroad service, but I forgot all that when the train finally puffed into the station, and Betty tripped out of the car, right into my arms. I can't express the happiness I experienced—all the hundred and one things we had to talk over—all the foolish little stunts we did, just like a couple of kids—but both of us supremely happy! I extend my heartfelt commiseration to those poor benighted wights who don't possess a wife.
CHAPTER XXXVII
WOOLTON COMES TO TOWN
The next morning, while I was in the middle of breakfast, the telephone rang. I jumped up to answer it and recognized Barlow's voice.
"That you, Black?" he said.
"Yes," I said. "Betty's home: she came yesterday!"
"Glad to hear it," he replied. "I wish you would drop in at the store this morning, if you can; will you?"
"Sure," I answered, but felt somewhat disappointed. He seemed to treat Betty's return as a mere nothing!
When I joined Betty at the table I told her about my automobile arrangement with him. She seemed very pleased at that. Betty thought a lot of Barlow, and I thought more of him than I used to. I had considered him as an old duffer; but I had learned that he was a quiet, thoughtful, progressive business man.