in the shipyard of her success.

When they learned that she had exceeded all her contract stipulations
there was a tumult of rejoicing; for her success was the success of
every man and lad in the company's employ--at least so thought all who
had any instinct of team-play and collective pride. A few soreheads
were glum, or sneered at the enthusiasm of the others. It was strange
that Jake Nuddle was associated with all of these groups.

_Clara_ was not permitted to linger and rest on her laurels. She had
work to do. Every ship in the world was working overtime except the
German Kiel Canal boats. _Clara_ was gone from the view the next
morning. Mamise missed her as she looked from the office window. She
mentioned this to Davidge, for fear he might not know. Somebody might
have stolen her. He explained:

"She's going down to Norfolk to take on a cargo of food for
England--wheat for the Allies. I'm glad she's going to take
breadstuffs to people. My mother used to be always going about to
hungry folks with a basket of food on her arm."

Mamise had Jake and Abbie in to dinner that night. She was all agog
about the success of _Clara_, and hoped that _Mamise_ would one day do
as well.

Jake took a sudden interest in the matter. "Did the boss tell you
where the _Clara_ was goin' to?"

"Yes--Norfolk."

Jake considered his unmentionable cigar a few minutes, then rose and
mumbled:

"Goin' out to get some more cigars."

Abbie called after him, "Hay, you got a whole half-box left." But Jake
did not seem to hear the recall.

He came back later cigarless and asked for the box.

"I thought you went out to git some," said Abbie, who felt it
necessary to let no occasion slip for reminding him of some blunder he
had made. Jake laughed very amiably.

"Well, so I did, and I went into a cigar-store, at that. But I hadda
telephone a certain party, long-distance--and I forgot."

Abbie broke in, "Who you got to long-distance to?"

Jake did not answer.

Two days later Davidge was so proud that he came out into the main
office and told all the clerks of the new distinction.

"They loaded the _Clara_ in record time with wheat for England. She
sails to-day."

At his first chance to speak to Marie Louise he said:

"You compared her to Little Red Riding Hood--remember? Well, she's
starting out through the big woods with a lot of victuals for old
Granny England. If only the wolves don't get her!"

He felt, and Mamise felt, as