"That's all right!" he said with a good natured laugh, as if the giving away of automobiles was an incident of every day. "It's for the kid. Kiss her good-night for me, will you?"
"Indeed, I will!" exclaimed Fanny gratefully. "Good night."
She followed Virginia out of the room and the two men stood looking at each other—Jimmie somewhat intimidated, Stafford with an amused expression on his face as if wondering what demand this extraordinary employee of his would make upon him next. There was an awkward pause. Finally the clerk said:
"If I don't get a good eight hours' sleep my brain don't work right. Would you mind if I was late an hour or so in the morning?"
"I wouldn't," replied Stafford dryly. "But McLaughlin might. He's the superintendent of your department and I never interfere with the superintendent."
"He'd be sure to call me down," snapped Jimmie sourly. "He's got it in for me and don't mind showing it. Some time I'll tell him what I think about him."
Stafford shook his head. Warningly he said:
"Don't you do it. If you do he might tell you what he really thinks about you. So take my advice and don't go out of your class."
"But if I told him that you—"
"Don't!" said the millionaire curtly. "I never interfere with the superintendent."