“And,” continued Russell, “I don’t need to tell you fellows that if we had the job of outfitting some of the teams we’d be certain of making a go of that business. We don’t ask any favors, or expect any, but I guess we can prove that we can sell just as high quality goods and just as cheaply as any New York house can. We’d be mighty glad of a chance, anyway.”
“F-f-fair enough,” exclaimed Coolidge. “Far as I’m c-c-concerned—”
“Look here, Jimmy,” said Cal, prodding that youth to attention with his shoe, “did you get us here to—to work this scheme for Emerson?”
“Get you here!” replied Jimmy indignantly. “Why, you poor fish, who asked you around, anyway?”
“Well, Bob and Sid, then. I know you didn’t say anything to me about it. But I suspect—”
“Go on and suspect,” said Jimmy, virtuously. “I had no idea that you were coming here this evening. If you don’t believe that—”
“You asked me, though,” said Greenwood, grinning.
“M-m-me, too,” said Coolidge. “Not that I m-m-mind, because—”
“Oh, well, I don’t mind fessing up,” Jimmy broke in, “now that you fellows have taken the bait. I did ask Sid and Bob—Rus, too, of course with the notion of getting something started. Your arrival, Cal, was as unforeseen as—er—pleasing. There’s nothing to apologize for. Rus is a good sort and needs to make a success of that store over there. We can help him. So let’s do it. Any objections?”
“Of course not,” said Cal, laughing. “I’ll do what I can to steer some business to him. I don’t make any promises, for our management have been buying in New York for some time and aren’t likely to make a change. Still, I’ll do my best.”