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 voice of his father, who believed the boy had done that thing and, so believing, was making disposition in these minutes of Jay's years ahead; of all his years ahead.

"Marry . . . marry," Ellen heard. It was plain that Mr. Rountree commanded him to marry Lida Haige. It was plain that this was what Jay proposed to do; so it was the very thing which his father, instead of enforcing, should prevent! For there was an element in this affair of which he was completely ignorant, and which Jay would not tell.

At last the buzzer under her desk sounded and Ellen reëntered the big room.

"Put in a telephone call for Mrs. Imbrie Lytle on Park Avenue, New York City," Mr. Rountree directed. Then he shot at Jay, "Possibly you can supply the telephone number."

"I can," said Jay, and gave it.

"I will return before you complete the call," Mr. Rountree said, and was upon his feet, tall and towering over her. His black hair was damp with sweat, as though he had been through violent physical struggle. Tiny beads of sweat stood on his forehead and wet his deep wrinkles.

He passed Jay without glancing at him and went into the general offices.

Jay had remained near the door but he came toward the desk after his father had gone.

"That's over," he said to Ellen; and she replied, "I've got to put in that call."

She tried to tell him, by the way she said it, that she was acting against him only under orders; she was not against him.