“I was thinking that we ought to get out an extra fine Christmas number, and send out as many samples as could be turned off the press. To do this you would have to have several men working during your school hours, so I thought it best to ask the men already here to wait for further orders. With all of this money on hand you can easily pay their salary and that of another good man that I should like to send out here to boss the work. Ike says he can fix up some rooms in the loft overhead and the men can take their meals with him. The two men who are working here like it very much and will remain if you want them to.”
“But we would be crowded out of our work if the men did all of it,” complained Don.
“Not a bit of it! I said: ‘During school hours,’ so an extra large number of magazines can be printed for Christmas. You boys worked every moment of your time but could only finish ten thousand this month,” explained Uncle Ben.
So it was cheerfully agreed to have the men help them with the next month’s magazine.
“You said ‘social,’ but I don’t see anything social in having the men help with the work,” grumbled Don.
“Now that you will have the men to help with the work you will have time to think of the social side of the plan I am going to suggest,” replied Uncle Ben, winking at Don to cheer him up. “So many of my friends in New York have heard of this B. B. & B. B. Company that I am constantly answering questions as to your ages, looks, and other personal matters. I think it will be a splendid plan to have all of you meet them soon and spare me so many extra words and time, to say nothing of wear and tear on my vocal cords.”
“I know you’ve got a lovely surprise to tell us—I can tell it in your voice!” cried Ruth, jumping up and hugging her uncle about the neck.
“I don’t know whether it is or not—how can I say until the others tell me whether it is,” said Uncle Ben, trying to look troubled over the doubt.
“Out with it, Uncle Ben!” laughed Ned.
“Well, if I must, I must!” groaned Uncle Ben. “I have discovered a very amusing play that has Saturday matinées. Of course, I suppose Birds could get into a theatre, couldn’t they? Well, if we went to see the show in the afternoon and then went to a hotel where we could have a dining-room all to ourselves and give a little party to all of my friends, it would save me so much trouble for the future.”