"You must understand that there is a great big human machine behind the digging of this canal, and, while it is more wonderful by far than the actual machinery of iron and steel, it is subject to human weaknesses. Men like Colonel Jolson, who form a part of it, are down here to make reputations for themselves. They are handicapped and vexed by constant interference, constant jealousy. It is a survival of the fittest, and I suppose they feel that they must protect themselves even if they use underhand means to do so. It is so in all big work of this character, where the individual is made small. You would find the same condition in your father's railroad organization." "Oh, now! My old man is a pretty tough citizen to get along with, but he wouldn't hire detectives to spy on his employees." Mrs. Cortlandt smiled. "By-the-way, when are you going into business with him?" she said. "I? Oh, not for a long time. You see, I'm so busy I never seem to have time to work. Work doesn't really appeal to me, anyway. I suppose if I had to hustle I could, but--what's the use?" "What is it that keeps you so busy? What are you going to do when you get back, for instance?" "Well, I'm going to Ormond for the auto races, and I may enter my new car. If I don't get hurt in the races I'll take a hunting trip or two. Then I want to try out an iceboat on the Hudson, and I'll have to be back in New Haven by the time the baseball squad limbers up. Oh, I have plenty of work ahead!" Mrs. Cortlandt let her eyes dwell upon him curiously for a moment; then she said: "Have you no ambition?" "Certainly." "What is it?" "Why--" Kirk hesitated. "I can't say right off the reel, but I've got it--lots of it." "Is there no--girl, for instance? Have you never been in love?" "Oh, see here, now!" Anthony blushed in a manner to excite the envy of any woman. "I don't like 'em. I'd rather play football." "That explains something. When the time comes you will cease wasting your life and--" "I'm NOT wasting my life," the young man denied hotly. "I'm having a great time; simply immense." "I remember reading an article once by a man who attacked American colleges with bitter personal feeling, on the ground that they fostered exactly the attitude toward life which you have just expressed." Anthony looked sober. "That was my father," he said. "Really! How stupid of me to forget the name. But I don't agree with him," she continued, gently. "You merely lack stimulus. If you should meet the right woman--" Then, seeing the amusement in his face; "Believe me, I know what I am talking about. I know what a woman can do. Your life has been too easy and placid. You need some disturbing element to make it ferment." "But I don't want to ferment." "Why don't you stay in Panama and go to work?" "Work? Hideous word! For one thing, I haven't time. I must get back--" "You will find great opportunities there."