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 permit him to detain her if she, who worked at his side, wished to leave him. And Jay, she thought, was indifferent whether she was here or there.

"We started something in New York," he told her. "It broke so that I was able to put my brother-in-law in with the Howarth people so that something big may develop. In New York, Howarth is a sizable account, you know."

Ellen nodded, aglow with the idea that Jay, so far from being indifferent, perhaps urged her to go east because he would be at work in New York.

"Is Mr. Armiston . . . adding to his office," she inquired.

"He wants to add you; that's all," said Jay.

"Oh," said Ellen and looked away, aflame; so he had not thought at all of her.

"That account is not only sizable," continued Jay, "but it's the only one in sight which can make up to us for Alban, when Lew leaves us; but we've got to get it before we lose Alban."

Ellen, saying nothing, gazed at Jay with impulses in possession of her of the very nature against which her father had warned her. Because Jay disregarded her (she thought), because she was (she thought) to him no more than a competent and useful business girl with a good head, she would. . . she would. . . what had Di said? She'd stand a man on his head!

Not Jay—for he would send her off; but she'd stand on his head, for Jay, Lew Alban!

She had not known how she was to proceed with Lew, for she had thought of having to "hold" him indefinitely;