aid, "for your sake."

"Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Penton," he replied; "I always sympathize
with anyone who is suffering."

She looked him her thanks.

"Mr. Nelson," she whispered, "did Pen have anything to drink before
going to the doctor's?"

Evan hesitated before answering.

"A flask of brandy."

"That's what is the matter with him, then," she said, looking sadly
toward the groaning unfortunate on the couch.

Penton was in a peculiar shade of mind. He made weird remarks at
times, spoke sanely occasionally, and groaned continually. He kept his
hand to his cheek and swore at the tooth and the doctor alternately.
Mrs. Penton did not allow his oaths to embarrass her.

"I hope you won't mind," she apologized; "I won't ask you to remain
more than a few minutes."

"I'm ready to stay as long as you wish, Mrs. Penton," he said.

"Thank you very much. It is so good of you. It's awfully nice to have
a teller like you, Mr. Nelson. Mr. Penton was afraid--we were afraid
we mightn't--you know, like the staff. I am so glad to find you so
kind; I'm sure you will get along splendidly with Pen."

Again Evan was flattered. Here was a manager hoping he would not have
to quarrel with his teller! That was, virtually, Mrs. Penton's
admission.

Evan did not need this additional evidence of Penton's weakness. The
toothache episode had satisfied him. He heard for days the manager's
squawking, and saw before him the manager's cravenness.

Jones had come and gone: the new manager had taken over the bills and
the cash. Penton's tooth was better, but he was in a bullying humor.
One night he called the teller before him for review.

"Now, Mr. Nelson," he said, assuming an imperious tone, the absurdity
of which amused the steady-eyed listener, "as you know, I am appointed
manager here. This is my first branch, and I want to make it a
success. Needless to say, I need your help, since you are my teller.
I want you to see that the junior men perform their duties properly."

The flattery intended to be conveyed in "junior men" did not appeal to
Evan. He sat silent, observing, never taking his eyes from the
manager's.

"I want my branch to pay, and I want my town to appreciate the fact
that a trained banker is running things here now. I am a friend of Mr.
Jones, but I tell you he did things in an unprofessional way. I want
things done according to the standard rules of banking. I am a
disciplinarian, and the sooner