Our rule is a
year on salary before space. But we felt that it was about time to
strengthen the rule by making an exception."
Howard stammered thanks and went away. This piece of news, dropped
apparently so carelessly by Mr. King, meant a revolution in fortune for
him. It was the transition from close calculation on twenty-five dollars a
week to wealth beyond his most fanciful dreams of six months ago. Not
having the money-getting instinct and being one of those who compare their
work with the best instead of with the inferior, Howard never felt that he
was "entitled to a living." He had a lively sense of gratitude for the
money return for his services which prudence presently taught him to
conceal.
"Space" meant to him eighty dollars a week at least--circumstances of ease.
So vast a sum did it seem that he began to consider the problem of
investment. "I have been not badly off on twenty-five dollars a week," he
thought. "With, well, say forty dollars a week I shall be able to satisfy
all my wants. I can save at least forty a week and that will mean an
independence with a small income by the time I am thirty-four."
But--a year after he was put "on space" he was still just about even with
his debts. He seemed to himself to be living no better and it was only by
careful counting-up that he could see how that dream of independence had
eluded him.
Pages:
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40