"Naturally, I refrained from mentioning those things, but, in addition, I smoke, drink, and swear. I am unsteady in my habits, and require a great deal of sleep. I think that completes the inventory." "Of course, you will live beyond your salary?" "Undoubtedly." "Seriously, now, don't you really---?" "Go ahead. Say it! Don't I know anything? No. I am too highly educated. You see, I took the full college course." She drew her sharply pencilled brows together and pursed her lips in meditation, regarding him meanwhile with a look that was not all disapproval. "Am I hopeless?" he inquired at length. "Dear, no! Experience is a good thing, of course, and ability is even better, but neither is absolutely necessary in government work." "Oh!" "Provided---" "What?" "--You have influence. I was merely trying to think of the niche into which you would best fit." "When a fellow hasn't any of those qualifications, then what? Take me, for instance." "You have at least one." "Which one?" "Influence." He shook his head. "My father wouldn't help." "We'll have no difficulty in finding you a position." "Jove! That's good news." He beamed at her with gratified surprise. "I had an idea I'd be going from door to door." "How ridiculous! This is a government job; therefore it is saturated with politics. There are a great many good men on it, but there are also a large number of 'somebody's relatives.' Do you understand? Anything is possible here for a man with influence. If he has ability with it, he can go to the top. If he lacks ability--well, even then he can go to the top--it depends entirely upon the influence." "But I haven't any--" Kirk began. Then, catching her look, he exclaimed: "Oh, say! WILL you help me? Really? That's too good to be true." He shook her hand warmly, that being the natural outlet for his gratitude, and she smiled at him. "I wonder where I'd better start in," he said. "There's not the slightest choice. All paths lead up the mountain, and if you go far enough you will reach the top. It would be quite easy if you knew something about the railroad business, for instance." "Oh, I do. I've had that drilled into me ever since I was a child. I grew up with it--was soaked in it. My father made me learn telegraphy before he gave me a motor-boat." "Why in the world didn't you say so?" "Well, I have forgotten most of it," he confessed. "I had a railroad of my own, too, when I was twelve years old. I was president." "Indeed!"