Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/271

 and gave his watch and pocket-book to the waiters.

He grew a little older. He digested some of his too suddenly acquired knowledge. As with other young men, his business became more of a business and less of a personal experience. It was an old story now, like death and disease to doctors.

Doctors can get an occasional respite. They dine out sometimes and meet healthy people and can, though not all do, keep normal and well-balanced.

Billy Woods also must have some sort of recreation, and his social instinct, too, was indestructible, like yours. By the time the theatres and music halls were dark, what kind of fun could he get and what sort of society had he to choose from? To go to a lonely club library and read while a loud clock ticked, after writing all day, was loathsome. He required something robust and exciting, like all the intense sort. There are only a few things to do after the paper goes to press. Billy did them.

The next day he reported—nearly always, at the office of the newspaper for which he