Hickey and the Egghead paid a visit that afternoon to the Griswold, to make the new arrival feel quite at home.
"Ah, boys," said Mr. Baldwin, with a wringing hand-shake, "this is very friendly of you, very friendly."
"Mr. Baldwin," said Hickey seriously, "we were very much interested in what you said to us this morning."
"Indeed," said Baldwin, gratified. "Well, that pleases me very much. And I am glad to see that you take me at my word, and I hope you will drop in often. There are lots of things I want to talk over with you."
"Yes, sir," said the Egghead. "It's very kind of you."
"Not at all," said Baldwin, with a wave of his hand. "My theory is that a master should be your companion, and I have one or two ideas about education I am anxious to have my boys interested in. Now, for instance, take politics; what do you know about politics?"
"Why, nothing," said Hickey in acquiescent surprise.
"And yet that is the most vital thing you will have to face as men. Here's a great national election approaching, and yet, I am certain not one in four hundred of you has any clear conception of the political system."
"That's so, Egghead," said Hickey, nodding impressively at his companion. "It is so."
"I have a scheme I'm going to talk over with you," continued Baldwin, "and I want your advice. Sit down; make yourselves comfortable."