have some heavy payments
to meet, and will he oblige us with a check"--adding to his
partner--"Something rotten in Denmark, or that young fellow wouldn't
be looking around for a wad as big as that." A third merchant heard
him out, and with some feeling in his voice said: "I'm sorry for you,
Breen"--Jack's need of money was excuse enough for the familiarity--"for
Mr. MacFarlane thinks everything of you, he's told me so a dozen
times--and there isn't any finer man living than Henry MacFarlane. But,
just as your friend, let me tell you to stay out of the Street; it's
no place for a young man like you. No--I don't mean any offence. If I
didn't believe in you myself, I wouldn't say it. Take my advice and stay
out."

And so footsore and heart-sore, his face haggard from hunger, for he
had eaten nothing since breakfast, his purpose misunderstood, his own
character assailed, his pride humiliated, and with courage almost gone,
he strode into Peter's room and threw himself into a chair.

Peter heard his step and entered from his bedroom, where he had finished
dressing for dinner. The old fellow seemed greatly troubled. One glance
at Jack's face told the story of the afternoon.

"You have done nothing, Jack?" he asked in a despondent tone.

"No--have you?"

"Nothing. Portman has gone to his place on Long Island, the others were
out. Whom did you see?"

"Some people we do business with; some of them laughed at me; some gave
me advice; none of them had any money."

"I expected it. I don't think you are quite aware of what you ask, my
dear boy."

"Perhaps I am not, but I am beginning to see. It is a new experience for
me. If my father had wanted the money for the same purpose for which I
want this, he would not have had to drive a mile from his house before
he would have had it."

"Your father lived in a different atmosphere, my boy; in another age,
really. In his environment money meant the education of children, the
comfort of women, and the hospitalities that make up social life."

"Well, is not that true now, among decent people?" protested Jack, his
mind going back to some homes he remembered.

"No--not generally--not here in New York. Money here means the right to
exist on the planet; we fight for it as we do for our lives. Your own
need of this ten thousand dollars proves it. The men I tried to find
this afternoon have more than they need or ever will need; that's why
I called on them. If I lost it, it wouldn't m