s."

"Heaven forbid," said Fanny, fervently. Then, for a very concentrated
fifteen minutes they went over the reports together. Fanny's voice grew
dry and lifeless as she went into figures.

"You don't sound particularly enthusiastic," Fenger said, when they had
finished, "considering that you've accomplished what you set out to do."

"That's just it," quickly. "I like the uncertainty. It was interesting
to deal directly with those people, to stack one's arguments, and
personality, and mentality and power over theirs, until they had to give
way. But after that! Well, you can't expect me to be vitally interested
in gross lots, and carloads and dating."

"It's part of business."

"It's the part I hate."

Fenger stacked the papers neatly. "You came in June, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"It has been a remarkable eight-months' record, even at Haynes-Cooper's,
where records are the rule. Have you been through the plant since the
time you first went through?"

"Through it! Goodness, no! It would take a day."

"Then I wish you'd take it. I like to have the heads of departments
go through the plant at least twice a year. You'll find the fourteenth
floor has been cleared and is being used entirely by the selectors. The
manufacturers' samples are spread on the tables in the various sections.
You'll find your place ready for you. You'll be amused at Daly's
section. He took your suggestion about trying the blouses on live models
instead of selecting them as he used to. You remember you said that one
could tell about the lines and style of a dress merely by looking at it,
but that a blouse is just a limp rag until it's on."

"It's true of the flimsy Georgette things women want now. They may be
lovely in the box and hideously unbecoming when worn. If Daly's going in
for the higher grade stuff he can't risk choosing unbecoming models."

"Wait till you see him!" smiled Fenger, "sitting there like a sultan
while the pinks and blues, and whites and plaids parade before him." He
turned to his desk again. "That's all, Miss Brandeis. Thank you." Then,
at a sudden thought. "Do you know that all your suggestions have been
human suggestions? I mean they all have had to do with people. Tell me,
how do you happen to have learned so much about what people feel and
think, in such a short time?"

The thing that Clarence Heyl had said flashed through her mind, and she
was startled to find herself quoting it. "It hasn't been a short time,"
sh