David, not guessing that the reins had been transferred to Shirley's hands--not guessing, in fact, that they had ever been out of Shirley's hands--was trudging listlessly, not to his office, but to Jim Blaisdell's bank. His note fell due that day. "Same old story," he told Jim. "I'd like to renew, if you don't mind." Jim fingered the note thoughtfully. "Davy," he said at last, "don't you think it's about time to clean this up? It's been running a good while." David flushed and his head went up. "Of course, if you'd rather not indorse--" "Don't be a fool, Davy. It isn't that. There's nothing Mrs. Jim and I wouldn't do for you and Shirley, and you know it. What I mean is, debt's a bad habit. It grows on you and you get to a point where it doesn't worry you as it ought. And it leads to other bad habits--living beyond one's means, and so on." David's prideful pose collapsed suddenly. "I know," he said wearily. "I'd like to clean this note up. It worries me quite enough. But the fact is--the fact is, I'm strapped and can't. We've been living from hand to mouth for a good while. And it begins to look"--David's laugh went to Jim's heart--"as if both hand and mouth would be empty soon." "It's really as bad as that?" "Worse than that." Jim slowly scrawled his name across the back of a new note. David got up and crossed the office, fixing his eyes--which saw not--on a flashlight photograph of the last bankers' association banquet. He cleared his throat vigorously. "It's worse than that. Jim--" He paused. "Yes?" "Jim, you don't happen to know any one with a job--living salary attached--concealed about his person, do you?" "What!" Jim whirled around in his swivel chair and stared hard at David's back. David continued his regard of the bankers' association banquet. "This is you in the corner, isn't it?-- Because, if you know of any such job I'd be glad to take it over." "In your own line, of course?" "In any line. Preferably _not_ in my line." "But--good lord, man! You're not losing your nerve, are you--just because business has slumped a little? What about your profession?" "As to that," David cleared his throat again, "as to that, I think we may say--safely--I haven't made good." "Oh, piffle! You're too young a man to say a fool thing like that. If it's this note that's bothering you--" He stopped, because David had turned and Jim saw his eyes. "The note is only part of it. But, if you don't mind, we'll not discuss it. I'll be glad if you can help me out. And I'll try to cut this loan down a little next time--somehow. I'll not keep you any longer now." David moved toward the door. "Remember us to Mrs. Jim, won't you?" And he went hastily out. "Why, damn it!" muttered Jim, left alone. "This is bad. This is entirely too bad."