"
"No, no, no! I'll see that you don't fail. Don't you understand?"
"I understand a lot more than I did, Mrs. Cortlandt. That's why I
don't want to rob some chap of a job he's entitled to, and I
sha'n't. There's a collector quitting shortly."
She stared at him curiously for a moment before inquiring:
"Is that really the reason, or do you think the work will be
easier?"
Kirk stirred uncomfortably. "Oh, I'm not trying to dodge
anything," he maintained. "On the contrary, the most amazing thing
has happened--something I can't quite understand. I--I really want
to work. Funny, isn't it? I didn't know people ever got that way,
but--I'd like to help build this Canal."
"But a CONDUCTOR! Why, you're a gentleman."
"My dad was a brakeman."
"Don't be foolish. Runnels talks too much. He'll offer you
something better than that."
"The high-salaried positions are well filled now, and most of the
fellows are married."
"A new position will be created."
But Kirk was obdurate. "I'd prefer to start in as confidential
adviser to the Canal Commission, of course, but I'd be a 'frost,'
and my father would say 'I told you so.' I must make good for his
sake, even if it's only counting cars or licking postage-stamps.
Besides, it isn't exactly the square thing to take money for work
that somebody else does for you.
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