The children came closer to await his proposition.
"At present I am an advertising man, but I used to be on one of the large newspapers in the city, and whenever any unusual story came in I was supposed to 'dress it' for publication. Now, in my opinion, this whole affair will make a fine story for the press and at the same time give this magazine the publicity it needs." Mr. Richards looked at the ladies for approval.
"It doesn't seem valuable enough for a paper to print," ventured Mrs. Talmage.
"It is the _unusual_ that papers are always after," replied Mr. Richards. "Show me anything more unusual than this (waving his arm about to embrace the children, the plant and the work) and I will run after it!"
"What would you say in the story?" asked Aunt Selina.
"Well, I'd take kodak pictures of this office, of the plant, and of the Winter Nest you have been telling me about. Then we would group the children on the lawn in front of the house and have a picture of the Blue Birds and Bobolinks who own and publish this magazine."
"What would Mr. Sphere say if he saw the story in the papers?" asked Aunt Selina.
"He'd say, 'Richie, old boy, I always knew you had a grain of sense in your head!'" laughed Mr. Richards.
"I have a fine camera in case you want to use it," said Ned, eagerly.
"And we have everything in good shape to have a picture taken," added Meredith.
"If the ladies consent we will lose no more time, but get the pictures while the sun is right," Mr. Richards said, as he turned toward the ladies and Blue Birds.
"Yes, yes, Mother Wings, let's do it!" cried several Blue Birds. So Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage smiled a consent.
Ned brought his camera and Mr. Richards grouped the Bobolinks about the machines in as workman-like poses as possible, and managed to get a good picture of them. Next, the office, with Jinks at the typewriter and Ned at the desk, was photographed. Outside, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks grouped themselves in front of the door and another picture was taken. The Blue Birds were given their pose as editors in the large library of the house, where books and writing material could be utilized in the picture. The Winter Nest was the last picture to be taken.
"Now, watch the papers for a story of your entire plan and achievement, with illustrations, and if you don't tell me the next time I come out that my idea was the best publicity plan imaginable, then you'll be ungrateful, indeed!" said Mr. Richards, pleased as he could be with the success of his visit.