"What would you boys each pay in dues to keep up a nice reading-room such as we talked about, Marty?" she asked her cousin.
"Aw, say!" grunted Marty. "Let's talk about the treasure chest we've found in our back yard. That sounds more sensible."
"Wouldn't you be glad of such a place?" laughed Janice.
"Say! would a duck swim?" growled the boy, thinking that she was teasing him. "Bring on your old reading-room, and we'll show ye."
That very afternoon she and Miss 'Rill had given the last touches to the room. It was as neat as a pin; the lamps were all filled and the chimneys polished. It was only a bare room, it was true; but there were possibilities in it, Janice was sure, that would appeal to Marty. She put on her hat and held her coat out for him to help her into.
"I'm going down town with you to-night; Marty," she said, smiling.
"I've got something to show you."
"Huh! What's it all about?"
"You come along and see," she told him. "It's just the finest thing that ever happened—and you'll say so, too, I know."
But she refused to explain further until they turned up High Street and stopped at the dark and long-empty shop beside the drug store.
"Oh, gee! In Massey's store?" gasped Marty, when his cousin fitted a key to the lock.