He unfolded the bulky pages and read grandly:
“‘Always be observant of even the smallest trifles. A speck of dust may be an important clew to a murder.’”
“Harvey!” cried Mrs. Welcome.
“Don’t be frightened, Mrs. Welcome, just wanted to show you that I mean business.” Harvey paused for a moment and regarded her steadily. Then he pointed his finger at her accusingly as he said: “I knew you were washing before you told me!”
“You did, Harvey?”
“Sure, because you had suds on your apron where you dried your hands.” He drew a deep sigh and threw out his chest. “There,” he said. “Oh, I guess I’m bad at these lessons, eh?”
“You’re a good boy, Harvey,” replied Mrs. Welcome, indulgently.
“Thank you.” He bowed. “Oh, perhaps my future mother-in-law and I aren’t going to get along fine,” he announced to the world in general, exultingly.
The roan colt interrupted this rhapsody by pawing impatiently at the ground. Harvey took his order book from his pocket and stuck his stub of lead pencil in his mouth.
“Well,” he inquired, “how about orders, Mrs. Welcome?”