pleasant to him, for he was daily learning
considerable about them. Their puzzles were solving and their
mysteries dissolving before his constant gaze. He felt like an
engineer lately on the job, or a new chauffeur, only more mighty.

His sense of greatness waned, though, toward midnight on balance day.
The savings ledger was out an ugly amount. Bill was also in straits.

"It's a wonder to me," he growled, as the two plodded along alone in
the semi-darkness, "that bankclerks don't go nutty."

Evan was scaling a column and did not answer. Watson continued,
keeping time with the adding machine.

"Work, work, work; doggone them, it's a wonder they wouldn't ask for a
few more particulars on this ledger-sheet. Why, in heaven's name, do
they want the names of customers down at head office? They don't know
these ginks here, and never will. If they don't believe our totals,
why don't they come and look over the books? Oh, ----!"

"Hurrah!" shouted Nelson, cavorting around his desk.

Bill knew the savings man must have struck a balance, but he was too
sorely irritated to show enthusiasm.

"Why don't you pat me on the back, Bill?"

"Shut up. Anybody could balance that passbook of a ledger."

Evan cooled down and remained quiet a while. Bill, thinking he had
offended his companion, soon looked across with an apologetic smile.
Nelson was staring wildly at his totals.

"What's the matter?" asked Watson, well acquainted with vacant looks in
bankclerk faces on balance night.

"I--I thought I was balanced. It seems to be one cent out."

The reaction struck Bill as funny, because it duplicated experiences he
had had and seen, but he made an effort to suppress his mirth. He
laughed silently upon his own unbalanced return-sheet until his nervous
system was satisfied, then he spoke.

"Evan."

"What do you want?" sourly.

"Did you ever hear the story about the maid who counted her chickens
before they were?"

Evan scowled and raced up and down his columns in search of the stray
cent. He did not find it. Bill took pity, seeing that he would not
have to go past the units column, and proved Evan's totals. But the
cent still hid.

"I'll bet it's in the calling," he said, grinning. "Do you know what
that means?"

"No."

"It means you will have to tick off a whole month's work. And
remember, we've got the interest to make up, too. No parties this
week, kiddo. No more Julias for yours. She'll have anot