The solicitor looked everyone over with a new interest after that, and breathed softly to himself, “Great Scott! What a piece of luck to get the lead in this idea!”
“We do not understand exactly what you mean,” said Mrs. Talmage, with dignity.
“Well, I was present at a meeting a short time ago when the talk veered to a project evolved by some children. It was creating quite a little interest among the older men, but I paid little attention to it at the time, for I had my mind full of other matters. But I remember hearing one of the leading publishers state that he believed we would hear of this undertaking in the future, for he knew some of the children who were in it. Now, here I am, unconsciously dropped into the heart of it.”
From that moment Mr. Richards was the enthusiastic collaborator of the company. He went over the pages of the magazine again and made some valuable suggestions for the future. When he expressed a desire to visit their plant, everyone jumped up ready to show him the B. B. & B. B. Publishing House.
Another great surprise awaited Mr. Richards. He had an idea that the work was done upon toy machinery, or hand presses; but, to find a shop equipped with electric motors and up-to-date machines, to say nothing of type-stands and a real office, was more than he could comprehend.
“I’m not surprised at the statement that man made at the meeting—he must have known you children, indeed!”
“Seems to me that we are getting this young man ‘rooted’ in this work,” laughed Aunt Selina, who liked the expression ever since Mrs. Talmage told her how to interest friends in the work.
“Well, I’m ‘grafted’ upon this idea even if I’m not ‘rooted,’” returned Mr. Richards, laughingly. “So much so, in fact, that I am going to make a suggestion that I think will meet with the approval of all of you.”
The children came closer to await his proposition.
“At present I am an advertising man, but I used to be on one of the large newspapers in the city, and whenever any unusual story came in I was supposed to ‘dress it’ for publication. Now, in my opinion, this whole affair will make a fine story for the press and at the same time give this magazine the publicity it needs.” Mr. Richards looked at the ladies for approval.