Wilbur's back. He
even allowed himself to think that she might prefer a smoother type of
man than Pete Bellows. Smoother, Wilbur reminded himself miserably, not
mushier.

Just before noon Pete Bellows came in to get the copy Wilbur had turned
out through the morning. At the sight of the tiny stack which had
accumulated Bellows' mouth turned down.

"Loafing!" he accused. "Just because I've been too busy to keep my eyes
on you!"

It occurred to Wilbur that the only thing he'd seen Pete do that morning
was pat Jean's shoulder, and that hardly seemed like hard work. But he
didn't say anything.

"Probably reading the paper while my back was turned," Pete went on. He
reached down and got the paper and put it in his pocket. "Now, listen to
me, Mook. You'd better have some work done when Jean and I get back from
lunch!"

Wilbur nodded without looking up at him. He was always afraid to look at
Bellows when the burly man was angry. Pete could get a vicious glint in
his eye. After Pete had left the cubicle Wilbur sneaked a look after
him. He saw that Jean had heard the whole thing. And at sight of the
distaste on her face he flushed.

Why couldn't he have told Pete off? Wilbur started to dream about what
he should have said. Then he stopped. It was all right to daydream but
Pete had sounded sore when he had said he wanted to see some work done.
Wilbur put his head down and started writing.

Within the hour he had completed six odes to Mother. One of them, Wilbur
knew, he could sell to a magazine for twenty times what Bellows would
pay. For a moment he was tempted, even going so far as to pick up the
sheet of paper preparatory to putting it in his pocket. Then he thought
of what Pete Bellows might do if he found out. Wilbur set the paper back
on the pile.

He was just in time. There were footsteps out in the hall and then the
door swung open. Bellows and Jean came in. The girl was laughing now,
and as Pete helped her off with her coat he was practically breathing
down her neck. It looked as though he had made some progress.

"Is it all right if I go to lunch now?" Wilbur asked timidly. He had to
wait until Pete had checked over his work. Then he got permission to go.

* * * * *

Until he was outside Wilbur felt hungry. For an hour his stomach had
been reminding him that it was time to eat. But suddenly the pangs of
hunger were gone. The thought of food was even unpleasant.

Maybe a sho