“Fine young man, yes,” said Herr Favre.

“I got two o’ the finest boys,” said Sheridan, “I got two o’ the finest boys God ever made, and that’s a fact, Mr. Farver!  Jim’s the oldest, and I tell you they got to get up the day before if they expect to catch him in bed!  My other boy, Roscoe, he’s always to the good, too, but Jim’s a wizard.  You saw them two new-process warehouses, just about finished?  Well, Jim built ’em.  I’ll tell you about that, Mr. Farver.”  And he recited this history, describing the new process at length; in fact, he had such pride in Jim’s achievement that he told Herr Favre all about it more than once.

“Fine young man, yes,” repeated the good Munchner, three-quarters of an hour later.  They were many miles out in the open country by this time.

“He is that!” said Sheridan, adding, as if confidentially:  “I got a fine family, Mr. Farver—­fine chuldern.  I got a daughter now; you take her and put her anywhere you please, and she’ll shine up with any of ’em.  There’s culture and refinement and society in this town by the car-load, and here lately she’s been gettin’ right in the thick of it—­her and my daughter-in-law, both.  I got a mighty fine daughter-in-law, Mr. Farver.  I’m goin’ to get you up for a meal with us before you leave town, and you’ll see—­and, well, sir, from all I hear the two of ’em been holdin’ their own with the best.  Myself, I and the wife never had time for much o’ that kind o’ doin’s, but it’s all right and good for the chuldern; and my daughter she’s always kind of taken to it.  I’ll read you a poem she wrote when I get you up at the house.  She wrote it in school and took the first prize for poetry with it.  I tell you they don’t make ’em any smarter’n that girl, Mr. Farver.  Yes, sir; take us all round, we’re a pretty happy family; yes, sir.  Roscoe hasn’t got any chuldern yet, and I haven’t ever spoke to him and his wife about it—­it’s kind of a delicate matter—­ but it’s about time the wife and I saw some gran’-chuldern growin’ up around us.  I certainly do hanker for about four or five little curly-headed rascals to take on my knee.  Boys, I hope, o’ course; that’s only natural.  Jim’s got his eye on a mighty splendid-lookin’ girl; lives right next door to us.  I expect you heard me joshin’ him about it back yonder.  She’s one of the ole blue-bloods here, and I guess it was a mighty good stock—­to raise her!  She’s one these girls that stand right up and look at you!  And pretty?  She’s the prettiest thing you ever saw!  Good size, too; good health and good sense.  Jim’ll be just right if he gets her.  I must say it tickles me to think o’ the way that boy took ahold o’ that job back yonder.  Four months and a half!  Yes, sir—­”

He expanded this theme once more; and thus he continued to entertain the stranger throughout the long drive.  Darkness had fallen before they reached the city on their return, and it was after five when Sheridan allowed Herr Favre to descend at the door of his hotel, where boys were shrieking extra editions of the evening paper.