pay the slightest attention to parental exhortation, especially since she had discovered her powers to delight men at a business "party."
The Rountree company did not approve "parties." Mr. Rountree allowed no item on the company payroll, or in the expense accounts of his salesmen, for the services of party girls. He directed that business be got by business methods.
The Slengels operated by far more personal contacts and after far less stern ideas; and whatever one said of the methods, no one could deny that they were getting results. In New York, they had just taken away an account from Rountree and were in full cry after the Nucast business; and here they were after the Metten business—with Di in Sam Metten's lap.
What could Ellen do about Di? Mr. Rountree could not help her; he would tell her to make Di come back to his office. Ellen knew that Di would no more return to the typewriter than she would go home to Hoster. Jay Rountree would understand that. Why was a man like Mr. Rountree, who saw into no one, never in trouble, while Jay, who appreciated others so perfectly, forever was in difficulties himself?
What difficulty to-day? A girl? Did he love her? Ellen very well knew that he had never loved herself. No matter, if he loved, loved no one else. He did not have to love her to make her happy when he was at home—not happy enough, not nearly, nearly all the happiness that might be, but more than she could have with any one else. When she was with him, he pulled taut something in her heart which no one else touched at all. It hurt but she wanted
