It seemed to Steve that nothing was going right these days. Here was
he, chafing at his inability to open his heart to Mamie. Here was Kirk,
obviously in trouble. And--a smaller thing, but of interest, as showing
how universal the present depression was--there was Bailey Bannister,
equally obviously much worried over something or other.
For Bailey had reinstated Steve in the place he had occupied before old
John Bannister had dismissed him, and for some time past Steve had
marked him down as a man with a secret trouble. He had never been of a
riotously cheerful disposition, but it had been possible once to draw
him into conversation at the close of the morning's exercises. Now he
hardly spoke. And often, when Steve arrived in the morning, he was
informed that Mr. Bannister had started for Wall Street early on
important business.
These things troubled Steve. His simple soul abhorred a mystery.
But it was the case of Kirk that worried him most, for he half guessed
that the latter's gloom had to do with Ruth; and he worshipped Ruth.
Kirk laid down his sketch and got up.
"I guess that'll do for the moment, Steve," he said.
Steve relaxed the attitude of proud satisfaction which he had assumed
in order to do justice to the Undeniable Suspenders. He stretched
himself and sat down.
"You certainly are working to beat the band just now, squire," he
remarked.
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