daring Western men that they had graduated into their
office chairs from the saddle and the out-of-doors.

"Oh, I suppose," said her mother, for lack of a better answer.
"Everything is so absurd in the West. But you were good to my
daughter, and to poor, dear Andrew. If only he had been spared. Women
are so unused to these business responsibilities, Mr. Conward. It is
fortunate there are a few reliable firms upon which we can lean in our
inexperience."

"Mother has bought a house," Irene explained to Dave. "We thought this
was a safe place to come----"

A look on Elden's face caused her to pause. "Why, what is wrong?" she
said.

Dave looked at Conward, at Mrs. Hardy, and at Irene. He was instantly
aware that Conward had "stung" them. It was common knowledge in inside
circles that the bottom was going out. The firm of Conward & Elden had
been scurrying for cover; as quietly and secretly as possible, to avoid
alarming the public, but scurrying for cover nevertheless. And Dave
had acquiesced in that policy. He had little stomach for it, but no
other course seemed possible. Conward, he knew, had no scruples. Bert
Morrison had been caught in his snare, and now this other and dearer
friend had proved a ready victim. As Conward was wont to say, business
is business. And he had acquiesced. His position was extremely
difficult.

"I don't think I would be in a hurry to buy," he said, slowly turning
his eyes on his partner. "You would perhaps be wiser to rent a home
for awhile. Rents are becoming easier."

"But I _have_ bought," said Mrs. Hardy, and there was triumph rather
than regret in her voice. "I have paid my deposit."

"It is the policy of this firm," Elden continued, "not to force or take
advantage of hurried decisions. The fact that you have already made a
deposit does not alter that policy. I think I may speak for my partner
and the firm when I say that your deposit will be held to your credit
for thirty days, during which time it will constitute an option on the
property which you have selected. If, at the end of that time, you are
still of your present mind, the transaction can go through as now
planned; and if you have changed your mind your deposit will be
returned."

Conward shifted under Dave's direct eye. He preferred to look at Mrs.
Hardy. "What Mr. Elden has told you about the policy of the firm is
quite true," he managed to say. "But, as it happens, this transaction
is not w