The morning interview with Goldstein was not mentioned.  Ajo inquired about Maud’s hurt but then changed the subject and conversed upon nearly everything but motion pictures.  However, after they had repaired to the hotel lobby and were seated together in a cosy, informal group, Patsy broached a project very near to her heart.

“Beth and I,” said she, “have decided to build a Children’s Picture Theatre.”

“Where?” asked Uncle John, rather startled by the proposition.

“Here, or in Los Angeles,” was the reply.

“You see,” explained Beth, “there is a crying need for a place where children may go and see pictures that appeal especially to them and are, at the same time, quite proper for them to witness.  A great educational field is to be opened by this venture, and Patsy and I would enjoy the work of creating the first picture theatre, exclusively for children, ever established in America.”

“You may say, ‘in the world,’” added Arthur.  “I like this idea of yours, girls, and I hope you will carry it out.”

“Oh, they’ll carry it out, all right,” remarked Uncle John.  “I’ve been expecting something of this sort, ever since we came here.  My girls, Mr. Jones,” he said, turning to the young man, “are always doing some quaint thing, or indulging in some queer enterprise, for they’re a restless lot.  Before Louise married, she was usually in these skirmishes with fate, but now—­”

“Oh, I shall join Patsy and Beth, of course,” asserted Louise.  “It will make it easier for all, to divide the expense between us, and I am as much interested in pictures as they are.”

“Perhaps,” said Patsy musingly, “we might build two theatres, in different parts of the city.  There are so many children to be amused.  And we intend to make the admission price five cents.”

“Have you any idea what it costs to build one of these picture theatres?” asked Arthur.

“We’re not going to build one of ‘these’ theatres,” retorted Patsy.  “Many of the dens I’ve been in cost scarcely anything, being mere shelters.  The city is strewn with a lot of miserable, stuffy theatres that no one can enjoy sitting in, even to see a good picture.  We have talked this over and decided to erect a new style of building, roomy and sanitary, with cushioned seats and plenty of broad aisles.  There are one or two of this class already in Los Angeles, but we want to make our children’s theatres a little better than the best.”

“And the expense?”

“Well, it will cost money, of course.  But it will be a great delight to the children—­bless their little hearts!”

“This is really a business enterprise,” added Beth gravely.

Uncle John chuckled with amusement.

“Have you figured out the profits?” he inquired.

“It really ought to pay, Uncle,” declared Patsy, somewhat nettled by this flaccid reception of her pet scheme.  “All the children will insist on being taken to a place like that, for we shall show just the pictures they love to see.  And, allowing there is no money to be made from the venture, think of the joy we shall give to innumerable little ones!”