his back to the young man,
indulging the while in inward bursts of merriment. The soberness of
Evan's countenance made it all the more difficult for his friend to
contain himself.

Evan did not suspect that Robb was enjoying a one-sided entertainment,
until a mirror betrayed the fact; then he, himself, laughed. The
louder he laughed, the louder he wanted to laugh. The old clerk joined
him frankly, and when they had done, cried--

"Isn't this a ridiculous world?"

Evan agreed that it was. Gradually he lost his sense of humor,
however, for after-intoxication is a series of reactions, and a
headache reminded him that alcohol was said to be hard on the nerves.

"Where are you going?" Sam asked him, as Evan took his straw hat from a
hook.

"Out in the air," he said; "I feel rotten."

"Get some good strong coffee, Evan; that will fix you up sooner than
anything. Fresh air is too natural a remedy to cure an unnatural thing
like a drunk, especially a fellow's first drunk."

Again the elder man laughed, and this time he begged his young friend's
pardon.

"You mustn't be sore on me for having such a good time at your
expense," he said; "but really I never saw anything quite so funny in
my life. You the temperate and sober-minded cash-book man.... By the
way, you must stick around here until you land a job."

Nelson began to say that he was under too great obligation already, and
felt that it would hardly be square; but Robb interrupted him with a
couple of powerful expletives, and they agreed to another week's
companionship.

After coffee Evan thought he would like to walk down University Avenue
with Robb, and did so for a few blocks; but the lightness of his head
counselled a shady and steady bench. He fell by the wayside.

"Just rest up to-day, old man," advised Sam, "and don't worry. It's
very dangerous to stew when you're already pickled."

Evan smiled half-heartedly and promised to spend the day at Island Park.

"I'm glad you're not coming all the way," said Robb, without much humor
in his face.

"Why?"

"I wouldn't want your destination to be the bank, for fear it might
sometime get to be your destiny--like mine."

"Are you glad they fired me?"

"Not exactly, Evan; but I'm glad you're out."

"What do you think of the way they did it?"

Robb glowered at a passing limousine.

"Don't ask me," he said fiercely. "From now on my daily prayer is for
a chance to get back at them. I hope it wil