CORTLANDT
Edith Cortlandt was not the sort to permit delay. At lunch she
introduced Kirk to the Master of Transportation of the Panama
Railroad, saying:
"Mr. Runnels has offered to take you out through the Cut this
afternoon, and explain the work to you."
Runnels, a straight, well-set-up, serious young man, bent a
searching look upon Kirk, as he said, "Mrs. Cortlandt tells me
you're going to be one of us."
"Yes."
The Master of Transportation took in the applicant fully, then
nodded his head as if pleased with his inspection.
"That's good."
Anthony was drawn to the speaker instantly, for there was no
affectation about him. He was straightforward and open, little
given to the kind of small talk that serves in so many cases to
conceal character. He produced the effect of a busy and forceful
man; one could feel energy radiating from him, and his voice had a
ring of authority. Like every one down here who was doing
something, he talked of little besides the Big Job, even when Mr.
Cortlandt joined the trio. As the two younger men rose to leave,
Edith playfully admonished him to teach his protege the entire
detail of the railroad business and have him back in time for
dinner, to which he agreed.
"She's wonderful," he remarked a moment later, as he and Kirk
descended the hotel steps together.
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