Back in the junior partner’s office the designs were more carefully examined. “Very creditable,” was the grudging admission; “it so happens that we may be able to use a man in this line--temporarily. Be seated.” He disappeared. When he returned he was accompanied by a stout man of perhaps forty-five, prompt of manner and with a face that seemed to have been carved from tinted marble after a Greek model. This one, with quick eye, examined the designs, which he handled as an expert handles Sevres. “Excellent! Yours?” “Yes,” said King. “Where are you from?” “Georgia.” “Learn this down there?” “Partly, and partly at Cornell.” “Nothing finer ever in this office, Church. You want to work with us, I suppose?” This to King. “If agreeable, sir.” “All right. How does twenty-five hundred strike you for a starter?” “Fine.” And then, “Just what I made last year building freak cottages.” Mr. Beeker laughed: “I know; served my time on them. The young wife brings you a home-made ground plan, providing for hotel accommodations, and wants a roof put over it--bay windows, porte cochere, etc. Cries when she finds your roof will cost more than her cottage. You’ll be under Mr. Church, Mr.--” “Dubignon.” “Good old name. Any advice needed, drop in on me.” He shook hands and turned away, but came back and placed a finger on the pictures: “I say, Church, how about the memorial windows?” “Yes, I think Mr. Dubignon might help.” “Better give him a free hand on it.” A sudden flush overspread the Southerner’s face and his look of gratitude followed the great architect. But if King looked for sudden fame in New York, he was disappointed. Putting aside his ambition for the time being, he threw himself into the task of developing along the special line he had chosen for a foothold, with the same ardor that had carried him to the front at college, and his work stood all tests, easily. Beeker, Toomer & Church became headquarters for art glass designs in architecture. Presently his salary rose. And then again. And at length he found himself independent. But, to use his own expression, he “got nowhere.” The reason was simple; it was a rule of the office that all designs should bear the firm’s name only. Church had carefully explained this in the beginning. Church had also seen to it that press notices of their notable work invariably mentioned that Ralph Church was the head of the department responsible for it. King writhed under this system, but he could not budge without financial backing. He was heartily tired of his narrow field. At odd times, in his own living room, he worked on his ambitious dream.