Amos agreed with this project perfectly. He agreed that Wint was not the man for the job, that it would mean hard work, and difficulties; he thought Wint was wise not to attempt it. He offered to straighten out any tangle and free Wint from the obligations of the office; and he offered to lend Wint money that Wint might make a start elsewhere.
His great complaisance angered Wint, so that he stubbornly declared that he would stick if every man in town urged him to go.
On the morning of the day before he was to take office, he met Jack Routt uptown, and Jack took his arm. They walked together toward Jack’s office, and went in and sat down.
It was evident that Routt had something on his mind. He talked of the weather, of Agnes, of Joan; and Wint, watching him, saw that Routt was holding something back, and at last asked impatiently: “Jack, what’s on your mind?”
Routt looked surprised. “Why—nothing.”
“Yes, there is.” Wint laughed at him. “What’s the matter? Open up.”
Routt hesitated; but at last he said frankly: “Well, Wint, I was wondering....”
“About what?”
“Have you been hitting the booze lately?” Routt asked.
Wint shook his head; his eyes hardened a little.