thinking too much about yourself."

"It isn't of myself, but of Mother. If you had dropped a hint when that
Boston reporter came--"

"Now, look here, Ros, would YOU have dropped hints if things had been
the other way around?"

"I don't know."

"I know you wouldn't. What's the use of giving the Denboro gossip mill
a chance to run over time? Great heavens! it works twelve hours a day as
'tis."

"It was mighty good of you, just the same."

"No, it wasn't. The whole affair was your business and nobody else's."

"Well, as I said before, if ever I have an opportunity to do as much for
you--not that I ever will."

"How do you know you won't? Anybody's liable to be gossiped about some
time or other."

"Not you. You are Denboro's shining light. The mothers and fathers here
point you out as an example of what industry and ambition and honest
effort may rise to. I--"

"Shut up!" He said it almost savagely. "There!" he added, quickly,
"let's change the subject. Talk about something worth while. Humph! I
guess they must be opening another crate of those Boston 'homegrowns,'
judgin' by the time it takes Nellie to get your sample."

"I am in no hurry. How are affairs at the bank?"

"Oh, so, so. Don't know a good man who wants a job, do you? Henry
Small's going to leave the middle of next month."

"Small, the bookkeeper? Why?"

"Got a better chance up to the city. I don't blame him. Don't tell
anybody yet; it's a secret. Say, Ros, DO you know of a good, sharp,
experienced fellow?"

I smiled. "Is it likely?" I asked. "How large is my acquaintance among
sharp, experienced fellows down here?"

"Not so large as it ought to be, I'll give in to that. But you know
one."

"Do I, indeed? Who is he?"

"Yourself. You wouldn't take Small's job, would you?"

"I?" I laughed aloud.

"It's no joke. You've had a lot of banking experience. I've heard about
it among my city friends, who don't know I know you. Course I realize
the place is way beneath what you ought to have, but--"

"Oh, don't be sarcastic. No, thank you, George."

"All right, if you say so. But I meant it. You don't need the salary, I
know. But--Ros, do you mind if I talk plain for a moment?"

I wondered what was coming now. "No," I answered. "Go ahead and talk."

"Well then, I tell you, as a friend, that 'twould be a good thing for
you if you did take that job, or some other one. Don't make much matter
what it is, but you ought to do something. You're too