"Heaven help us! And do we have to get gifts to live up to those names? Why diamonds and pearls would be too common for such people." Joy threw both hands in the air as a sign of distress.
"Never mind, Joy. I think the little Ryans will deign to accept a stocking full of sweets and things like jumping jacks. Dad thinks we ought to give out some of the repair work to men who are out of jobs. He says he'll help pay for it as his share. Dad has a good bicycle which I'm sure a man can fix up."
"Let's put a sign in the window, 'Man wanted for repair work on toys,'" said the quiet Shirley.
"Might be better to put 'for odd job'," laughed Kit.
Bet took a piece of drawing paper and pencilled the sign at once. It read:
"Man wanted for repair work on toys. Apply Saturday morning at 11 o'clock."
The sign was put in the window on Friday after school, and before the girls were well inside their shop on Saturday the first applicant arrived.
"Oh, but you weren't to call before eleven o'clock."
"Sure, I know that, but what chance would a fellow have to wait that long? Everybody wants work."
"All right, take a look at that bicycle and see if you can find out what's the matter with it." Bet led the way to the rear room.
"It looks like a pretty good bicycle, Miss. But it's hard to say whether it can be fixed or not. A blacksmith might tell you!"
Just then the door of the shop opened and another man entered.
"I see the ad. in the window; I want to talk to the boss."
Shirley ran for Bet who was still interviewing the first comer, and shoved her toward the door. "You talk to him, Bet."
The man glared at her with an angry look. She saw that he did not believe her and imagined that she was making fun of him.
"When I want to see the boss, that's who I want to see!" he muttered.
A third man appeared and the second turned on him. "Say, can't you read? That sign says eleven o'clock! Now git out!"
By this time the girls were frightened at the threatening attitude of the men. Joy was almost hysterical with fear.
"I'm the only boss there is here," said the second visitor, doubling up his fists as if prepared to fight.
Bet came toward the two men. "I don't want either of you men to work for me. Will you please go away?"