V
Miss Clare arrived the next morning a little pale and nervous, but
wonderfully happy. She was always neat and dainty, but this morning she
had a sort of festive air, produced, as well as I can tell you, by
little extra ruffles and by magic.
Looking into Mr. Reddiman’s private room, and seeing her there, with her
fair head bent and her fragile hands so busy, in all her gallant and
touching youth, I entertained serious thoughts about the human element.
I understood the ancient institution of chivalry. I fancied I knew
exactly how knights used to feel about forlorn damosels. It seemed
idiotic to estimate a creature as valiant and sweet as she by the number
of words she could turn out per minute. Indeed, I forgot all about the
economic system for a time, in a long meditation upon a system
considerably older.
I rejoiced in her innocent and happy triumph. I delighted in seeing her
walk past Miss Kelly and smile at her before entering the august private
room.
Graves was decidedly under a cloud now. We were all a little hard on
him. We forgot his kindly efforts on her behalf, and remembered only
that he had been on the point of discharging one who now worthily
occupied an important post.
“You see, Graves, I was right,” said Mr. Reddiman.
The rest of us agreed in condemning Graves for a sort of inhuman
severity.
Three days passed. Then Graves heard from Mr. Reddiman once more.
“It was naturally a--a tentative arrangement--something in the nature of
an experiment,” the president said. “I am well satisfied with Miss
Clare’s zeal and industry, but she lacks experience. I have no doubt she
can work up to some superior position; but in the meantime, Graves,
wouldn’t it be possible to find her some work that carries less
responsibility? She’s very young, you know.”
The implication was that Graves had thrust monstrous responsibilities
upon her young shoulders, that he was a sort of _Simon Legree_.
“She’s a young woman of education and refinement,” Mr. Reddiman
continued. “I should imagine it would not be difficult to find a place
for her in an organization of this size and scope. I don’t mind saying,
Graves, that I am very favorably impressed with Miss Clare. Of course,
if you’re convinced that she’s not useful--”
“Very well!” said Graves brusquely. “I’ll try.”
And there he was, with the whole thing to begin over again, and with the
wind of public opinion dead against him. I observed him sitting at his
desk, with his stubby hair ruffled, his sturdy shoulders hunched, and a
look of unassuageable despair upon his not very mobile face. He looked
up as I approached.
“Go on!” said he. “Tell me I’m a brute! Of course, I know that what I’m
really paid a good salary for is to run a charitable institution here. I
know--”
“Look here. Graves!” said I. “I’ll try your Miss Clare in my
department--”
“She’s not my Miss Clare,” he returned, with vigor. “She’s--” He got up.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “She’s an albatross! You know the story
about the fellow who had one tied round his neck, and couldn’t get rid
of it.”
“That’s not very chivalrous,” said I.
“Well, I’m not paid to be chivalrous,” he said. “I know she’s a fine
girl--a--a lovely girl; but she’s out of place here. She can’t do one
darned thing well enough to deserve a salary for it. If old Reddiman
wants me to start a training school, very well, I’ll do it; but if he
wants me to keep up the standard of efficiency I’ve set, then he’s got
to give me a free hand--that’s all!”
“She can start in with me to-morrow,” I said rather stiffly.