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 it would be. Almost to the end of it, business remained unmentioned. He himself dared not introduce the issue, Johnny would not, and Mr. Havens appeared much more interested in the information that Jock had once played the Valleydale course in two below par than in the fact that he wanted a job. They talked golf until dessert.

"Have to have a round together," Mr. Havens remarked at last, "spring comes."

Jock said, truthfully, that he would like that very much. "But you'll probably beat me ten-up, sir," he added smiling. "I've hardly had a club in my hands since I left college, and I never was any great shakes. That Valleydale score Johnny told you about was an accident."

"Haven't been playing?"

"No, sir."

"Why not? No time?"

Jock hesitated, and Johnny supplied the answer. "No inclination. Tread softly, dad, the boy's in love."

Mr. Havens elevated an eyebrow at Jock. "Fact?"

"I'm going to be married about the last of next month."

"Good!" said Mr. Havens. "Means you'll take hold. Look at Johnny. Engaged, perfectly useless. Wrench in the wheels of Progress. Sat and mooned from morn till eve. Marriage made all the difference. Now look at him, works like a steer."

"First time you've ever admitted it," Johnny muttered.

His father ignored this. "When can you start?" he shot at Jock.

"Monday, sir."

Mr. Havens jerked his head in manifestation of approval. "Come 'round. Ten a. m. My office.