That afternoon, when they met again at the office, he was surprised to learn that Slim had taken several names, and was in the highest of spirits. Wyeth was too, but from other causes. He had taken about eight orders, when he came into a back yard from an alley. Through a screen, he caught a glimpse of a girl working in the kitchen. He approached the house, and presently knocked on the door. She opened it with an inquiry. He looked up into her face from where he stood on the ground. She looked down into his, and blushed as she looked away. She made an impression, and he was, for a moment, lost in a maze of delight. Soon he was serious, however, and said he wished to speak with her on important business. This was his style. He had observed that agents, the minute a door was opened, began a spiel without getting the attention of the prospective customer, so he made it a practice to get their attention first, and leave them in doubt until he did, before disclosing his business. If he failed to do this, he usually went his way, without letting them know what he was selling. But, to get back to the girl. She declared that she was very busy at the time, but would be glad if he'd come back shortly. "In about an hour," she advised, as she watched him walk toward the gate. He went his way with a subtle swimming of the head. He passed the next hour mechanically, made several sales, of which he was hardly aware, and at the end of the hour, he returned. She was waiting for him. He smothered his interest, and told her the story in brief. "Oh, that's fine!" she exclaimed, in an ecstasy of delight, when he had finished. "When do you deliver?" "Any time," he replied; "but I have several in this neighborhood for the first. Could you take yours then?" As he finished, he looked at her strangely. His thoughts went back to a place and a person he had almost forgotten. (?) She looked back at him, smiled, became uneasy, apparently she did not know how to take him. Then she asked softly: "Why do you look at me like that?" And then he came out of it, and replied candidly: "I don't know," he started to say, "because you remind me of one I once knew--and loved." The very thought of it, however, now pained him. However, he dismissed these thoughts from his mind, and was normal again. She appeared as though she would like to say more on the subject, but instead she added: "Have you been selling the book long?" "Ever since publication," he admitted frankly. The past lingered with him for some time, but it was temporarily forgotten, when he had returned to the office, and noted Slim's success. "You're there, Professor," he beamed, while the other assumed an air of modesty. A few days later--and he was apparently successful in the meantime--Slim said to Wyeth: "I want you to go with me tomorrow. I've found a 'nest.'" "A hornet nest?" asked Wyeth humorously. Slim looked uncomfortable. He had a good memory.