morning--I'm her business woman, you see--asking me to come and advise
her, and I'm coming, and after supper--"

"Well, what'll you do?"

"I'm going to talk with him, with the man. I'm simply going to _collect
that money_. Or if I can't--"

"What's the horrid alternative?"

"I'm going to _fire_ him!"

West laughed merrily. His face always looked most charming when he
smiled. "Upon my word I believe you can do it."

"I _have_ done it, lots of times."

"Ah! And is the ceremony ever attended by scenes of storm and violence?"

"Never. They march like little lambs when I say the word.
Hay-foot--straw-foot!"

"But then your aunt loses their arrears of board, I suppose."

"Yes, and for that reason I never fire except as a last desperate
resort. Signs of penitence, earnest resolves to lead a better life, are
always noted and carefully considered."

"If you _should_ need help with this customer to-night--not that I think
you will, oh no!--telephone me. I'm amazingly good at handling bright