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 dence that on the same day that Jay Rountree had assumed responsibility for Lida, Nucast had called Ralph and promised to Rountree his profitable business for another year; the business which had been in doubt until yesterday. No; this was reward to Jay; and reward extended in such form that it could never involve Nucast, personally, and also could not be refused. How could Jay step back to his father's desk and demand the rejection of the Nucast business without exposing everything he was pledged to keep from public view?

"Where do you play, South?"

"What?" inquired Jay, aware that a question was asked him.

Metten repeated it, drawing him toward the chairs, where they all sat down. Metten, it seemed, was going to the South to play after Christmas and he wanted to know about southern clubs.

"Some place with good golf and nice people," particularized Metten; "not the crowd."

Jay mentioned a few resorts, while trying to recall what Ellen Powell had just said about Metten. Oh, yes; the Metten business was up in the air, as the Nucast account had been. Slengels were after the Mettens. So that was why Lowry had Phil Metten here this morning and was so nervous about the impression made by Jay.

He realized that he had been keeping Metten waiting for an appointment with his father; but Metten did not seem to mind or to be in any hurry now. He made a joke and Jay smiled; at what, he wondered afterwards. The funny thing was in his own mind; and it was that Nucast