Reluctantly, realizing it was her only way of escape, she touched his cheek with her cold lips.
"That's the girl!" he exclaimed, releasing her.
Deathly white and with a set, determined expression on her face, Virginia broke from his embrace and hurried away to join her sister who, dreading a scene, had discreetly withdrawn into the bedroom. Stafford stood looking after her, a stupid expression on his face as if of mild surprise at her resistance. When she had disappeared, he turned to his employee. For a few moments he did not speak and the younger man was beginning to feel uncomfortable under his close scrutiny when Stafford suddenly blurted out:
"Jimmie!"
"Yes."
"What salary are you getting?"
"A hundred—"
Stafford shook his head. Smiling, he said:
"No, you're not—you're getting a hundred and fifty!"
The clerk stared at his employer, not comprehending. What did he mean? Was this the long expected and hoped for raise in his salary, or was he the victim of a drunken jest?"