"Daughter." Dudley did not like this catechizing much.
"Wel-l—you're lucky. No end of money. Suppose you'll be chucking your job here, eh?" Dudley flushed.
"Carmelita's father has cut her off as a matter of fact. Our marriage didn't please him evidently. Besides, even if it had, I mean to stick here and make good. That is—if you want me to."
At this Sanford Drake became strictly business. He lit his cigar afresh and rocked back on his chair.
"Well, I must say you didn't set the world on fire with the way you handled this Duval business."
"I know—I'm not proud of myself."
Old Drake puffed a while.
"Like to go back to your old desk and get a little wiser before you tackle something big again?"
"If you say so."
"All right—same position and same salary as before you went to Paris." And Sanford Drake began to rustle papers on his glasstopped desk indicating that the interview was over.
It was rather better than Dudley had expected but when he told Carmelita about it she pouted. "He might have given you a better
