"Not of my baking, Bob. You ought to know too much of the trouble and expense of cake-making to think of it. I can't undertake to supply the town with cookies."
Bob sobered at this reference to his prowess at cake-baking; but Sister Bess, regardless of his feelings, mischievously suggested,
"You might make molasses candy for sale."
"It's out of season," returned Bob, with dignity. "I guess we'll lay in a stock of sour-balls."
"I'll tell you what I'll do for you," said Bess, relenting. "I'll make you some button-hole bouquets."
"Well, but I don't know who'll buy them."
"They'll help to fill up the shelves and make the place look pretty, at any rate."
Bob and John began to feel that the store was going to be a success, and proceeded to overhaul the attic for salable articles.
The sign-board was a very important matter. Dick undertook to paint them one. But as it would take some days for the paint to dry, it was decided that they could begin with a sign chalked on an old slate.
There was not much to be done toward fitting up the store. A piece of canvas was hung on one side, and a loose board was laid across the entrance for protection against the rabble, for as the store was only large enough to hold the proprietors and their goods, the customers were exacted to make their purchases over the counter from the outside.