first. Harriet told me that you were coming tonight and I asked to see
you for just a moment to tell you this and also to ask you if you would
continue with the International Machine Company.

"There is no one now whom I feel I would have so much confidence in as
you. I wish you would come back and take charge for me. If you will tell
me that you will consider it we will arrange the details later."

If an archangel had suddenly condescended to honor him with an
invitation to assist in the management of Heaven Jimmy could not have
been more surprised. He realized at what cost of pride and self-esteem
the offer must have been made and acknowledgment of error. He told her
that he would be very glad to assist her for the present, at least, and
then she excused herself on the plea of nervous exhaustion and went to
her room.

"Do you know," said Harriet, after Elizabeth had gone, "she really feels
worse over her past attitude toward you than she does over Harold's
death? I think she realizes now what I have told her from the first,
that she never really loved him. Of course, her pride has suffered
terribly, but she will get over that quickly enough.

"But do you know I have not had an opportunity before to congratulate
you? I wish that I might have been there to have heard the verdict, but
really you don't look half as happy as I should think you would feel."

"I am happy about that," said Jimmy, "but on top of my happiness came a
sorrow. I just came from Edith's apartment. She died while I was there."

Harriet gave a little cry of shocked surprise. "Oh, Jimmy," she cried,