"I wonder if he would like a job as golf professional?" he said.
"Golf professional?" I repeated. "Where?"
"Right here in Woodvale," declared Carter.
"To take Kirkaldy's place?"
"Yes, to take Kirkaldy's place. Kirkaldy handed me his resignation to-night to take effect on Saturday. A rich uncle has died in Scotland, and our young friend will buy his own golf balls in future, instead of winning them from you and me. Now you and I constitute the majority of the house committee, and if this Wallace is as good as you say, and I do not doubt your judgment in the least, what's the matter with offering him Kirkaldy's place? A man who can drive a dozen balls two hundred yards and tell how he does it is squandering his time and cheating humanity by serving as hired man."
I told him what Wallace said when I offered him money.
"That's all nonsense," declared Carter. "He can be a professional and return to the amateur ranks after he has gone into some other avocation. That is the rule not only here but in Great Britain. Kirkaldy can now become an amateur, and doubtless will. Get your hat and we'll go over and talk to this chap right now."
"How about LaHume?" I asked. LaHume is the third member of the house committee.
"Never mind about LaHume," laughed Carter. "I imagine there are reasons why LaHume might oppose the selection of Wallace, but if we are satisfied LaHume will have to be."
The Bishops had retired when we reached the old house, but Wallace came to the door, book in hand. Naturally he was surprised to see us at that hour, and he was even more surprised when Carter told him the object of our visit.