President Britt went away to his own office.
Examiner Starr, confining himself to his announced policy of grabbing in on the running operations of the bank at the moment of his entry, studied the petty-cash accounts and checked up the daybook with thoroughness. He found everything all right and grunted his acknowledgment of that discovery.
Then he began on the ledgers, assuring Vona with ponderous gallantry that he wouldn't get in her way; he averred that he had a comparison system of his own, and showed the pride of “the new broom.”
After a time it was apparent that Mr. Starr was having trouble. He added columns of figures over again and scowled; his system was plainly trigged.
“Young lady, where's your comptometer?” he demanded, after he had made a quick survey of the office.
“We have never used one, sir.”
“One is indispensable these days in a bank—especially when a bookkeeper can't add a column of figures correctly by the old method.”
She flushed and her lips quivered. “I'm sure I do add correctly, sir. My books always balance.”
“Add that column, young lady!” He indicated the column with the plunging pressure of a stubby digit, and stood so close to her, while she toiled up the line of figures, that his breath fanned her hair.
Vaniman looked on, sympathizing, feeling sure that the bluff inquisitor had made a mistake of his own.