aid, impulsively, "it's ---- to be poor, isn't it? Why
don't you kick once in a while? The only decent kicker we have around
this dump is Robb. He's all right."

Evan smiled pensively.

"---- it," continued Watson, "I don't see why a fellow can't earn
enough to--to--"

"Get married on?" suggested Evan, who was, at the same moment thinking
of an ideal composed of Frankie Arling and Julia Watersea.

"Sure! Why not?"

"Would you really like to get married, Bill?"

"Yes, I would."

"So would I."

Watson was forced to laugh. He was twenty--that was bad enough. But
Nelson was not yet eighteen. Bill continued to gaze at the serious
face of his companion until his own countenance changed. Instead of
speaking or sighing he lighted a cigarette.

"Will you have one, Nelsy?"

Evan shook his head.

"Do you think Julia would object?"

"What's she got to do with me?" challenged Nelson.

"Why, she's your girl, man. Sailors have sweethearts in every port,
you know, and bankers in every town."

Evan tried to connect sailors and sweethearts with cigarettes, but just
at that time was unable to establish anything but a far-fetched
relationship. Later in life, on the Bowery, he thought he saw the
connection.

In the midst of parties and picnics balance day loomed up. Castle's
frame of mind, like a special make of barometer, registered the event a
day or so in advance.

"Have you got your ledger proved up?" he asked Evan.

"Pretty well, I think."

Under Bill's tutelage, Evan had dropped the "sir" when speaking to
Castle.

"Remember, the interest has to be computed this month. Watson, it will
be up to you to check it."

"I'm not the accountant," said Bill, chewing gum with a smacking noise.
"I'll help him make it up, though."

Mr. Robb came to the cage door for some change, and the teller referred
the matter to him.

"Oh, do your best with it, boys," he said. "I'm strong for
co-operation. There isn't enough of it among the staff."

Castle turned away with a sneer.

"I've got the liability," he said, sulkingly.

"I'll take charge of that this time," returned Robb; "give the boys a
hand at the savings, Alf. And say, Watson, get the cash book written
up early so that I can post the general, will you?"

"All right, sir," said Bill, cheerily.

Evan experienced a thrill as these orders were passed around. He felt
that he was part of a great system. The names of ledgers and
balance-books sounded