Suppose the president of the Clock-Winders' Union
wanted to place his half-sister's husband with the P. R. R. He'd
call at the White House and make his request. If he were refused,
he'd threaten to call a strike of his union and stop every clock
on the Isthmus. He'd get the job all right."
"Of course, that is an exaggeration."
"Not at all. It has been done--is being done right along. The
half-sister's husband comes down here and takes a job away from
some fellow who may be entitled to promotion."
"I suppose I'm an example."
Runnels looked at him squarely before answering, "You are," said
he, "although I wasn't thinking of you when I spoke. It's
something we all feel, however."
Anthony flushed as he answered: "I don't remember ever taking
anything I wasn't entitled to, and I didn't think when I was
shoved in here that I'd shove some other fellow out."
"That's about what will happen. The good positions are filled by
good men, for the most part, but Mrs. Cortlandt has asked it, and
you're elected. You don't mind my frankness, I hope?"
"Certainly not. I just didn't happen to look at it in this light."
Kirk felt a vivid sense of discomfort as the keen eyes of his
companion dwelt upon him. "As a matter of fact, I dare say I don't
need a good job half as badly as some of these married fellows.
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