Nellie pricked up her ancient ears. Pop stared in amazement. Jane was flushed with excitement and surprise. So this was why they had called her up to make sure Pop would be on the car that day. They had evidently been planning this fete for a long time. Those banners could not have burst into being over night.
And suddenly as Pop stopped on the first street corner to take on the one stray lady who waited there, forty or more people leaped forth from their place of concealment on the other side of Walter's delicatessen store and clamored to get on the car. They were laughing and bantering at Pop's wondering face. They streamed in the front entrance of the car past him. They shook his hand, shouted congratulations and good will. Several pressed bouquets of flowers into his hands and into those of Jane. They even decorated Nellie's harness with posies. They insisted upon Pop collecting their nickels, that they were paying passengers. There were so many of them that half had to stand up and there was even a bevy out on the platform standing beside Pop.
"Half of you out!" shouted Chris Walters, who appeared to be the ring leader in the celebration. "Nellie ain't as young a lady as she used to be."
So the majority of the riders piled out and walked alongside the car shouting while Pop drove in a triumphant parade up the street. Occupants of windows and store entrances hailed him. Johnny Burke, aided by four other policemen, held up all traffic except Pop's antique vehicle.
