"Debt, insolvency--in fact, genteel poverty."

"And worry, discontent and disillusionment at home. I've been afraid
of that."

"He didn't say so."

"Davy wouldn't, of course."

"It must be pretty bad, for he wants to give up his profession and take
a job. You know, Davy's liking for his work amounted almost to a
mania."

"Does he _have_ to give it up?"

"It doesn't meet their needs--at least, their requirements. And worst
of all, he's got it into his head that he hasn't made good."

"But he has made good. He has done good work. And he has talent.
Hasn't he?"

"In a way. But there's only one divine spark nowadays--push. He
hasn't that. He prefers to let his work speak and push for itself.
Poor Davy!"

"Poor Davy! But you'll get him a position, of course."

"There are times," remarked Jim, "when you're as innocent and credulous
as Davy himself. It isn't so simple. He's fitted only for his own
line. And there are very few men willing to pay a living salary to a
greenhorn just for learning a business. In fact, after to-day I'm
ready to say there is none."

"Poor Davy!" Mrs. Jim repeated softly. She threaded a needle and bent
over her sewing. Jim watched the swift deft fingers proudly; they had
acquired the habit of industry in a day when the Blaisdells had had to
wrestle with the problem of slender income. After a few minutes'
silence she let her sewing fall to her lap.

"I think, Jim, if you'll have the machine around I'll go down-town with
you in the morning."

Jim sighed in relief. "You've solved it, then?"

"I want to call on my latest acquisition. You remember asking, 'Why is
Jonathan Radbourne?'"

Jim nodded, with the smile the thought of that gentleman always evoked.

"The answer is, of course--Davy."

"I'm wondering," said Jim thoughtfully, "just how Davy would like it if
he knew you were going to beg a job for him."

"I'm not going to beg a job. I will merely state the case to Mr.
Radbourne."

"Suppose he concludes that making a job for Davy is too high a price to
pay even for your ladyship's favor?"

Mrs. Jim smiled confidently. "Mr. Radbourne and I understand each
other. And he doesn't have to pay for my favor. I have made him a
present of it."

Two mornings later David found a note from Jim, asking him to call at
the bank. David obeyed the summons at once.

"Davy," Jim began, "did you mean what you said the other day about a
job?"

"Yes," David answered