"Not exactly rebellious. She would do whatever I asked regardless of her own feelings, for that is the way we Spaniards bring up our daughters, but--she is cold to Ramon, and he, I believe, is suspicious of my intentions toward his father. Therefore, the situation is strained. It is very hard to know what is right in a case of this sort. The young are impressionable and reckless. Often what seems to them distasteful is in reality a blessing. It is not every love-match that turns out so happily as yours, my dear friends. Well, I suppose I am weak. With Gertrudis I cannot be severe; but unless it becomes necessary to make conditions with my old friend Alfarez, I should prefer to let the girl have her own way." As Cortlandt escorted his caller to the door, the Panamanian paused and said, with genuine solicitude: "You look badly, sir. I am afraid you work too hard. I would not easily forgive myself if this affair of ours caused you to fall ill." "Oh, I am all right--a little tired, that's all. I don't sleep well." "It is worry over this thing." Cortlandt smiled crookedly. "I am not the one to worry; I am not the one at the head. Surely you know what people say--that I am her office-boy?" Garavel found it hard to laugh this off gracefully. "You are too modest," he said. "I admire the trait, but I also chance to know the wonderful things you have accomplished. If people say such things, it is because they do not know and are too small to understand your voluntary position. It is very fine of you to let your wife share your work, senor." But he shook his head as the door closed behind him, really doubting that Cortlandt would prove physically equal to the coming struggle. It was about this time--perhaps two weeks after Kirk had replied to his father's letter--that Runnels called him in one day to ask: "Do you know a man named Clifford?" "No." "He dropped in this morning, claiming to be a newspaper man from the States; wanted to know all about everything on the Canal and--the usual thing. He didn't talk like a writer, though. I thought you might know him; he asked about you." "Me?" Kirk pricked up his ears. "I gathered the impression he was trying to pump me." Runnels eyed his subordinate shrewdly. "I boosted you." "Is he short and thick-set?" "No. Tall and thin." As Kirk merely looked at him in a puzzled way, he continued: "I suppose we're all suspicious down here, there's so much of that sort of thing. If he has anything on you--" "He's got nothing on me." "I'm glad of that. You're the best man I have, and that shake-up I told you about is coming off sooner than I expected. I'd hate to have anything happen to you. Do you think you could hold down my job?" "WHAT? Do you really mean it?" "I do." "I think I could, if you would help me." Runnels laughed. "That remark shows you haven't developed Isthmitis, anyhow." "What is that?"