“I secured a position with the Thorne knitting mills,” returned Nathan. “I traveled for them a year and a half. Then they sent me out here to the Orient. I’m going back as manager of their New York office.”
“Well, Natie, you have your father to thank for that! If it hadn’t been for the business training I gave you, no firms would ever be offering you any New York managements at your age. Why, when I was your age I was lucky to draw twelve dollars a week. We worked for our money in those days.”
Nathan finally felt it time to put a few inquiries himself.
“How does it happen you’re working here, father? Money give out?”
Johnathan turned quickly and looked through the window into a dismal yard.
“The curse of us Forges, Natie,” he finally responded, “has always been women. You’ll learn it one of these days!”
“How does it happen you’re working here? Money give out?” Nathan repeated.
“I started to tell you, if you’ll be respectful and wait a moment. Don’t be so hot-headed. Hot-headedness and lack of respect always were your faults, Natie!”
Nathan waited as patiently as possible.
“I came out here,” Johnathan went on, “seeking love and surcease from all I’d suffered. I met a woman. I thought she was in every way a woman to be desired, Nathan. I married her——”