and
went over and kissed her.

She had married him against mother's advice and had stood by him like a
brick, and he'd do anything for her. He stroked her glossy hair. "You
_have_ always wanted to do something for her, have n't you? You're a
good girl! Do it! Send her a dollar a week!"

Skinner resumed his place at the table. This was the climax, he thought,
the _ne plus ultra_ of it all! He was to contribute a dollar a week to
his mother-in-law to make up a loss caused by the advice of a detested,
silly-ass brother-in-law, who had always hated him, Skinner. Surely, the
dress-suit account had reached the debt limit! He took out his little
book and jotted down:--

_Dress-Suit Account_

_Debit_ _Credit_

One important lesson!
Never take the first false step!
It's apt to lead, one knows not
whither!

"You don't know how happy you've made me," said Honey, "and I 'm so proud
of you--such strength of character--just like old Solon Wright, you're
doing this for one you positively dislike, Dearie!--moral discipline!"

"Moral discipline, your grandmother!" snapped Skinner; then softly, "I'm
doing it for one I love."

"I would n't have mentioned it if you hadn't got your raise. You know
that!"

His raise! Skinner thought much about "his" raise as he lay in bed that
night. Had he gone too far to back out, he wondered? By Jove, if he did
n't back out, his fast-diminishing bank account would _back_ him out!
The thing would work automatically. Probably in his whole life Skinner
had never suffered so much disgust. Think of it! He must go on paying
mother-in-law a dollar a week forever and ever, amen! No, he'd be hanged
if he'd do it! He'd tell Honey the whole thing in the morning and throw
himself on her mercy. The resolution gave him relief and he went to
asleep.

But he did n't tell Honey in the morning. He was afraid to hurt her. He
thought of his resolution of the night. It's so easy to make
conscience-mollifying resolves in the night when darkness and silence
make cowards of us. No, he could n't tell her now. He'd tell her when
he got home to dinner.

Meantime, things were doing in the private office of McLaughlin &
Perkins, Inc.

"I've thought it over this far, Perk," said McLaughlin.

"Well?"

"Understand, I believe in Skinner absolutely--but--"

"Even _your_ judgment is not infallible, you mean?"

"Exactly."

"So d