“Perhaps it’s inside,” came from Frank. “This fellow changes his window goods every other day to attract trade. Let’s go in.”
There was nothing else to do after they had assured themselves, by eager glances through the windows, that their chair could not be seen from without.
“Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you to-day?” asked a little wizened man, with a much wrinkled face, as he came forward, briskly rubbing his hands. His face was smooth shaven, and seemed to be made of some kind of upholstery leather. His blue eyes were deep set, under shaggy brows. “Like something to furnish your college rooms with?” he went on, making a shrewd and correct guess as to their character. “I’ve got some sporty things, all right.”
“Real sporty, eh?” asked Tom. “Something that will make our den look homelike?”
“Sure. Why, I can sell you a pair of andirons dirt cheap. Real antiques they be, too. Come over in the Mayflower. Then I’ve got a lot of Revolutionary muskets and swords you can hang up on the walls, and make it look like a regular den. Could you use a spinning wheel? I’ve got a dandy that just came in. I sold one like it to some girls from Fairview Institute the other day, and they paid me a good price. I could let you have this one a little cheaper, if you bought all your stuff from me. You’re from Boxer Hall, ain’t ye?”
“No, from Randall!” exclaimed Phil, indignantly.
“I—I meant to say Randall all the while!” exclaimed the man, in some confusion. “I don’t know what’s gittin’ into me lately. Guess I need a new pair of eyes. That’s twice I made a mistake like that. I might have knowed you was from Randall, of course. You fellers are goin’ to beat them all holler in the championship game, ain’t ye?”
“We hope so,” answered Phil, “but we came to look for an old easy chair. We need one for our room, and we heard you had one that would suit us.”
“Easy chairs for college rooms? Why, I’ve got ’em by the bushel!” exclaimed the man, eager for business. “Look here!” and he led the way to the rear of his shop. “I’ve got ’em in Colonial style, early English, Flemish, Louis the Fourteenth, and almost any kind you like. What’ll you have?”
The chums eagerly looked around the shop. Their chair was not in sight. Somehow their hearts sank, and they hardly dared ask the next question.