Peter was not the least bit surprised at his mother's antics. He knew
that she was a glorious mother and full of surprises. The other
youngsters however were not so sure. So Peter suggested to the
proprietor that he start the graphophone. The proprietor nodded and
soon they were all dancing, Mrs. Dustin taking a new partner every few
minutes.
"And children," she suddenly remembered, "Joe can jig--why, he used to
jig beautifully."
So Joe took his turn in amusing the children and while he did it Mrs.
Dustin examined some machines lined up along the wall.
"When you drop a nickel in the slot do you get gum, peanuts or your
fortune told or does a Punch and Judy pop out?" she laughingly and
innocently asked Sim and Sammy Berwick who stood near.
Sim looked uneasy and Sammy said, "Aw, them things are no good, Mrs.
Dustin. You don't want to monkey with them. You might--"
But Mrs. Dustin was already dropping her nickel in and when Peter came
up she was shaking out an empty purse.
"Why, Peter, what's the matter with these machines? I guess I didn't
work them right. I've dropped all my money in, and I haven't gotten a
thing. It's the money I was saving for the framing of that picture Mr.
Rollins gave me.
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