an fairly claim that?"

"Beautiful work--beautiful."

"Good. Then wouldn't you like to see that work growing under your
hand--ten thousand men driving night and day, and that concrete
structure reaching out, as you've planned it, in long white stretches to
the sea?"

"It's certainly a fine prospect."

"Then why not do it? What's the use, Welkie? You're the best man in the
country for us and we're the best concern for you. We offer you the
biggest job in sight. What d'y' say? You've been turning us down, but
think it over now."

Welkie shook his head.

"Why not?"

"Because--but they are coming back."

Necker could see the hands of Balfe and Miss Welkie unclasping in the
half-darkness as they entered. He touched Welkie on the arm. "Why not
tell Miss Welkie and Mr. Balfe what it is I'm after?"

"But I'm doing work here that I've got to finish, and they know that."

"I know you are, but consider this. What does the government pay you
here, Welkie? I probably know, but no matter."

"Two hundred a month and this house."

"And I'm offering you two thousand! And--listen to this, please, Miss
Welkie. In place of a mosquito-infested shoe-box of a shack in a
God-forsaken hole, we'll give you and your brother a fine concrete house
on a breezy hill in God's own country--a real home, Miss Welkie, with
great halls and wide verandas and sun-lighted rooms through which the
sea breezes will blow at night so you can sleep in peace. A mansion,
Miss Welkie, with reception and music rooms, where you can receive your
friends in the style a lady should, or a man of your brother's ability
should. A place to be proud of, Miss Welkie--palm-studded, clean-clipped
lawn rolling down to the sea. And a sea--I'll bet you know it, Mr.
Balfe--a blue-and-green sea rolling down over to coral reefs as white as
dogs' teeth, a shore-front that needs only building up to be as pretty
as anything in your swell Mediterranean places. What d'y' say, Welkie?
And here's the contract now, all ready for you, and pay begins to-day."

"It's alluring, it surely is. But I must finish here."

"But you'll soon be done here. A few weeks more, they told me in
Washington. What are you going to do then?"

"I hadn't thought."

"Well, why not think of it now? Consider your boy, what it will mean to
him some day. Why not ask Miss Welkie?"

Welkie turned gravely to his sister. "What do you say to that fine house
with the grand dining-room, and the music-room, a