Miss
Harnden and she smiled very sweetly indeed, and Mr. Britt beamed back at
her in a fashion that entirely disarranged for the rest of the day
the set look that he creased into his features before his mirror every
morning. Several clients took advantage of his blandness and renewed
notes without paying the premium that Britt exacted when he loaned his
own money as a private venture.

President Britt entered the door, but he did not go into the bank at
once. He marched along the corridor and unlocked his office and toasted
himself over the furnace register while he finished his cigar; Vaniman
was a good fireman and was always down early. Mr. Britt kept his ear
cocked; he knew well the tap of certain brisk boot heels that sounded in
the corridor every morning and he timed his movements accordingly.

By being on the alert for sounds, he heard what did not comport with the
comfort of his office. Prophet Elias was engaged in his regular
morning tour of duty, picketing T. Britt's domains, giving an hour to
deliverance of taunting texts before going abroad through the town on
his mission to the people with texts of comfort; the Prophet carried
plenty of penetrating, textual ammunition, but he carried poultices for
the spirit as well.

Mr. Britt heard: "'Will he esteem thy riches? No, not gold, nor all the
forces of strength.'"

The usurer commented under his breath with remarks that were not
scriptured. He threw away his cigar and went to a case where he kept
some law books which contained the statutes that were concerned
with money and debts and dependence; he had been hunting through the
legislative acts regarding vagrants and paupers and had been hoping
to light on some legal twist that would serve him. The Prophet kept on
proclaiming. But all at once he shifted from taunts about riches. His
voice was mellow with sincere feeling.

Said the Prophet: "'Behold, thou art fair, my love; thou hast doves'
eyes within thy locks. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep which came up
from the washing. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech
is comely. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.'"

Mr. Britt did not wait in his office for the completion of the
panegyric. He knew well enough what arriving personage it heralded. He
hurried out into the corridor and faced the radiant girl who came in
from the sunshine. Even one who might question the Prophet's tact would
not have blamed his enthusiasm.

"V