"Fust thing you know they'll fall an' mebby crack." "I wouldn't have that happen," said Bob earnestly, but with a lurking smile on his lips.

"How much is the lard, Mr.

Hodge ?" "Fourteen cents.

It's gone up." "Something else will be going down soon," murmured Bob.
He paid over the money, took the lard and started out.

As soon as he reached the front stoop of the store he gave a hasty look around.