Calling the Tune (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... some cleverer chap than I comes along with a cleverer invention. But to do that will take some time; and in the meantime here I am with my little invention, all ready to make its owner the master of the situation. Bit of triumph for your old friend, eh? " "How did all this come about?" Wickliff asked. " What put the idea of the thing into your head?" " Why, you know," Gregory answered, " I was always a bit inventive, even as a boy." Wickliff nodded. His memory travelled back to the days of that S.E. academy for young gentlemen, and he recalled the queer articles that Gregory was always making with wood and wire and string. There was a mouse-trap which he recollected, and many kinds of puzzles, and, best of all, there was that improvement which Gregory devised for the tills in his father's emporium. Gregory's fond parent took out a patent for that improvement, and made money. Winbush's patent was superseded by now, but it had had its day, and a good one. " I remember," Wickliff said. " After I married Gondoline," Winbush began again; then he paused for a moment and eyed his friend furtively. " You don't mind me talking of that now, do you?" Wickliff laughed frankly. " Not a bit," he declared. " That hurt healed long agp. Fire ahead." Gregory fired ahead. " Well, Gondoline did not exactly sympathize with my little aspirations. Poor Gondoline I am afraid she found me a trifle--shall I say?--dispiriting. She was always the one for noise and brightness, you know. She wanted life to be all pleasuring, and parties, and theatres, and music-halls, especially music-halls." Wickliff received the information with composure, even with approval. People who liked music-halls had been very useful to him, and he thought of the Palacio affectionately. ..".