"Hello, Jim! Of course you may. I'm awfully glad you came. I was feeling horribly blue. Any luck?"
The advance agent came in, closing the door carefully behind him.
"Lots of it," he grinned.
"That's good," exclaimed Laura, who was still at the mirror arranging her hair. "Tell me."
"It's bad luck—as usual. I kind o' felt around up at Burgess's office. I thought I might get a job there, but he put me off until to-morrow. Somehow those fellows always do business to-morrow."
Laura closed the window, shutting out the sound of the street music, which now could be heard only faintly. Grimly, she said:
"Yes, and there's always to-day to look after." Going up to him, she said kindly: "I know just how you feel. Sit down, Jim."
He took a seat near the table, and accepted a dry cracker which she offered him. As he munched it, Laura went on:
"It's pretty tough for me, but it must be a whole lot worse for you, with a wife and kids."
The agent made a wry face.