When she returned to the city in the fall the very first time she went to the office she passed Jimmy in the corridor. The change in his appearance was startling. His hair was no longer close-cropped high over his ears. His clothes were those of the city; his whole bearing had changed. Nothing could make Jimmy look in the least foppish. He was still rugged and manly looking, but, Estelle thought, no longer uncouth. As he passed her he smiled an answer to her nod of recognition. There was no resentment in his smile, but neither was there admiration for her, nor awe. It was just a calm, impersonal smile as though he had already forgotten her existence as soon as he passed. This piqued Estelle still more—and made her vaguely angry. She sought out George Cooper at his desk. “I just passed that young man—Mr. Rand, isn’t that his name?—in the corridor,” Estelle began, after they had exchanged a few remarks. “How is he getting on?” Mr. Cooper was a little surprised at her question, but he did not show it. “He’s getting along fine, Estelle,” he replied with enthusiasm. “Have you met him—I didn’t know that.” “No,” said Estelle carelessly. “He was in father’s office one morning—I thought he looked interesting. Why?” “He’s a dandy chap. Not a city boy at all—used to be a coal miner. We’ve been out together a good deal—Marion likes him tremendously.” (Marion was George Cooper’s sister.) “Oh,” said Estelle. Then, after a moment—“He was going to tell father about some plan he had. Father told me it was some foolish idea. What ever happened to it?” The office manager hesitated. He rather liked Estelle. She was a silly, vain little thing, but he liked her—perhaps partly became his sister seemed to be her only real girl friend. “Can you keep a secret, Estelle?” The girl nodded. “Honest?” Mr. Cooper’s manner was as boyish with her as it was stern and authoritative toward his office employees. “Yes—surely.” “He and I have been working on it together, and—it’s going through!” said the office manager impressively. “What does father say?” Estelle was thrilled more by the solemnity of Mr. Cooper’s manner than by his words, for she had no idea what it was Jimmy proposed doing. “That’s why it’s a secret, Estelle. We haven’t put it up to him yet. But we’ve got it all ready—as near as we can without having broached it to any one in the company. And we’re going to spring it in a day or two.” The office manager was already sorry he had told the girl this much, and he hastened to add: “You’ll be careful not to mention it, won’t you, Estelle? Not to any one. It wouldn’t be very nice to have it get to your father before we tell it to him ourselves.” Estelle frowned. “I told you I wouldn’t say anything. I’m not a child.” “Don’t,” said Mr. Cooper briefly; and then changing suddenly, gaily asked her when she was going to let him take her to the theater again.