Ships

           WithinaweekasuitablebuildinghadbeensecuredintheCalleGrande,andMr.Hemstetter’sstockofshoesarrangedupontheirshelves.Therentofthestorewasmoderate;andthestockmadeafineshowingofneatwhiteboxes,attractivelydisplayed.

           Johnny’sfriendsstoodbyhimloyally.OnthefirstdayKeoghstrolledintothestoreinacasualkindofwayaboutonceeveryhour,andboughtshoes.Afterhehadpurchasedapaireachofextensionsoles,congressgaiters,buttonkids,low-quarteredcalfs,dancingpumps,rubberboots,tansofvarioushues,tennisshoesandfloweredslippers,hesoughtoutJohnnytobepromptedastonamesofotherkindsthathemightinquirefor.TheotherEnglish-speakingresidentsalsoplayedtheirpartsnoblybybuyingoftenandliberally.Keoghwasgrandmarshal,andmadethemdistributetheirpatronage,thuskeepingupafairrunofcustomforseveraldays.

           Mr.Hemstetterwasgratifiedbytheamountofbusinessdonethusfar;butexpressedsurprisethatthenativesweresobackwardwiththeircustom.

           "Oh,they’reawfullyshy,"explainedJohnny,ashewipedhisforeheadnervously."They’llgetthehabitprettysoon.They’llcomewitharushwhentheydocome."

           OneafternoonKeoghdroppedintotheconsul’soffice,chewinganunlightedcigarthoughtfully.

           "Gotanythingupyoursleeve?"heinquiredofJohnny."Ifyouhaveit’sabouttimetoshowit.Ifyoucanborrowsomegent’shatintheaudience,andmakealotofcustomersforanidlestockofshoescomeoutofit,you’dbetterspiel.