Mr. Slack looked up astonished at the apparition which burst in
upon him. He was accustomed to O'Reilly's high head of steam and
disapproved of it, but he had never seen the fellow so surcharged
as now. He was positively jumpy; his voice was sharp; his hands
were unsteady; his eyes were bright and blue and hard.

"I want my salary, quick," Johnnie began.

Mr. Slack resented emotion, he abominated haste; he had cultivated
what he considered to be a thorough commercial deliberation.

"My dear man," he said, "I'd advise you--"

"I don't want advice; I want money," snapped the other. "I've
quit, resigned, skipped, fled."

"Indeed? When does your resignation take effect?"

"Immediately, and if you don't move like lightning it will take
effect upon your person."

"Mr. Carter would never--"

"Bother Mr. Carter! Now stiffen your spine long enough to write my
check. If you don't--" O'Reilly compressed his lips and breathed
ominously through his nostrils. He laid a heavy and persuasive
hand upon the secretary's shoulder. "Hump yourself, old
jellyfish!"