Jim was highly disgusted. "What's the difference how you pronounce it? It spells k-a-l-e, and it takes a good-looking girl to pull off a deal in this town. When Lilas lands Hammon she'll be through with the show business for good. The Kaiser suite on the Imperator for hers." Lorelei flung aside her napkin with an exclamation. "What's wrong now?" demanded Jim. "Sore again because I offer to make a few pennies for you? All right--play for Bob Wharton. I'd like to meet him, though; he can do me a lot of good." "How?" "Well, he dropped eighty-four hundred in Hebling's Sixth Avenue joint the other night. Maxey owns a place on Forty-sixth Street where the sky is the limit." His sister was staring at him curiously. She had voiced misgivings concerning his activities of late, but Jim had never satisfied her inquiries. Now she asked: "What is your share?" The young man laughed a little uncomfortably. "Forty per cent. That's usual. If he's going to gamble somewhere I might as well be in on it." Lorelei turned to her mother, but Mrs. Knight seemed puzzled at this turn of the conversation. The girl's next words, however, left no doubt as to her feelings. "You're a fine specimen, aren't you?" Her lip curled; mother and son started at the bitterness of the tone. "You're in a fine business, too, blackmailing with Tony the Barber's crowd, and capping for a jinny." "Who said anything about a jinny?" "Ugh! What a mess you've made of things. Two years ago we were decent, and now--" Lorelei's voice broke; her eyes filmed over with tears. "I'd give anything in the world if we were all back in Vale. It took only two years of the city to spoil us." "Never mind the dramatics," Jim growled. "What's your kick? You're on Broadway, ain't you?" "Yes, with a six-room flat on Amsterdam Avenue. Pa is a cripple, you're a crook, and I'm--" The mother broke in sharply. "Jim is no crook. You've no right to talk like this, after all we've done for you." "Sure. Why did we come to New York, anyhow?" echoed the young man. "What brought us here? Ain't you having the time of your young life--parties, presents, joy-rides, every day? Gee! I wish I made the coin you do." "I hate it." "Ha! Better try Vale again. You'd end in a straight-jacket if you did. You think you could go back, but you couldn't--nobody can after they've had a taste of the city." "It's all wrong. The whole thing is--rotten. Sometimes I hate myself." Lorelei choked.