“How old is Phil now?”
“Sixteen, sir.”
“H—m. That is rather young.”
“But he is big for his age, Mr. Spaythe. He’s nearly six feet tall, and as strong as anything.”
“Do you think we bank by main strength, Miss Daring?”
“Phil will graduate next week, at High. He hopes to be at the head of his class.”
Mr. Spaythe drummed thoughtfully on the desk with his fingers.
“I’m going to consider your application, my dear,” he said, quite genially for him. “Ask your brother to come and see me.”
Phœbe hurried away, overjoyed at her success. She astonished Phil that evening by saying that she had made an appointment for him to see Mr. Spaythe. He tore up the little note that he had intended to mail to the banker, then kissed his twin sister and thanked her for her assistance. Only Mr. Spaythe knew whose influence had induced him to consider giving the position to an inexperienced, untried youth, fresh from high school. Perhaps, after all, it was the remembrance of his old friendship for the elder Daring.
Anyhow, Phil had a long interview with the old banker and came away engaged to fill the vacancy made by Ned Thurber’s withdrawal. As soon as school closed he was to begin work.