tes to know you're that. But some people have certain things which
they attribute to a gentleman--notions, as I've said. And Eleanor from
her European experiences has some of these notions. Don't you see?"

The smile, which always broke so suddenly, came back to Bert Chester's
face.

"Well, of course that's why I broke loose from the ranch and went to
college in the first place. I wanted to be as good, every way, as the
best there is!"

"And you are already!"

He shook his head.

"No, or this wouldn't have happened. I want to be good enough to marry
any girl, no matter who. I'm going to amount to something. I'm going
to be rich, too--and a darn sight quicker than most people know. I
don't know that we came here to talk about that, though."

"Please go on. We came here to talk about you--anything about
yourself."

"That part of it has something to do with the main issue. I'm going to
pull out from Judge Tiffany as soon as I go up against the bar
examinations next month. At least, I want to pull out, and I'm only
wondering how the Judge will take it and how she will take it. You
see, I might just as well get admitted, and then it is good-bye to law
for me afterwards unless I use it in politics. Law--" Bertram rammed
his finger on the table with each word that followed "law is too blame
slow. Anyone could see that I couldn't be chasing about as I'm doing
if I had to depend on what Judge Tiffany is paying me as a clerk. Why,
I've made twice as much already whirling at business. I'll always have
my admission to the bar, too. If I want to settle down on a law
practice after I get rich, I can do it."

"That seems very promising to me."

"But here's the question. Is the Judge going to take it for a
throw-down, and how is Eleanor going to like the program?"

Kate appeared to be considering. In fact, she was considering a great
many more things than Bertram knew.

"I'm pretty sure Eleanor wouldn't care," she said at length. "Hers
isn't a very practical mind. It's impossible to say about Judge
Tiffany. He's crotchety. The right's on your side, for a man has a
right to change his employment, hasn't he? And I'm sure you have more
than returned your little salary. On the whole, I don't know but it
would be better for you with Eleanor if the Judge did get angry with
you. A girl with ideals like hers rather likes to have a man
persecuted. And you can't let it stand in the way of your career."

"But--"

"Oh, it isn't a