“Yes, I’ve got a letter. You come over——”
“Is it all right, sir? About the blue stamp, I mean.”
“Hm; well, you come over and I’ll tell you.” Something that sounded like a chuckle reached Willard. “Good-by!”
“I’m going over to Mr. Chase’s,” he announced. “He’s heard about the stamp. I don’t want any more supper!”
“What about it, Will?” his father asked eagerly. “How much’s it worth?”
“I don’t know yet. He wouldn’t tell me. Where’s my cap? Anyone seen—— Here it is! I’ll come back right away—if it’s all right!”
“Hello, Will!” greeted Mr. Chase. “Nice evening, isn’t it?” There was a perceptible twinkle in his eye and Willard grinned.
“Yes, sir, it’s a fine evening,” he answered with a gulp.
“Yes, we’re having wonderful weather for the time of year. I got a reply from that fellow in New York. What did I do with it?” Mr. Chase pretended to have mislaid it and dipped into one pocket after another. Willard squirmed in his chair. “Ah, here it is,” said the teacher finally, drawing the letter from his inside pocket. “Now, let’s see.” He opened it with tantalizing deliberation. “I asked him to examine those envelopes and give me an estimate of their value. I didn’t tell him we had four more of them, by the way.”