Into this bustle and blare, Elijah Berl rode as he had ridden many times of late. Unmoved, save for a contemptuous pity, he looked down upon the hurrying crowd, crazed by the lust of wealth, who bought today to sell tomorrow, each knowing that some would be caught in the reaction that was sure to come, but each steadfast in the confidence that his own good sense would protect him from the general ruin. He looked down to where the Sangre de Cristo, no longer an impetuous torrent, seeped lazily through its bed of shining sand; at the mass of tangled shrubs and clinging vines quickened by its waters into a riotous growth that blossomed and fruited in the sensuous sun. Over his shoulder, he looked at the distant slopes from which he had come. At the open door of a redwood cottage he dismounted and entered. "Hello, Ralph!" At the salutation, Winston's compact athletic figure straightened from his drawing-board. "Oh, hello, Elijah! You're just the man I wanted to see." "Have you decided yet?" Elijah's voice was eager. "Do you still want me?" "Yes. It's tomorrow now. If this is too soon, tomorrow and tomorrow are yet to come." "Well, Elijah, if it's all right, my answer is yes." Elijah took Winston's hand in both of his own; his eyes spoke the words his tongue could not utter. "It's going to be uphill work, Elijah, but I guess we'll manage it." "Of course we will." Elijah was striding up and down the little office. He paused and looked thoughtfully out of the window. "This hasn't got into your blood yet, eh?" he jerked his thumb toward the hustling street. "Not much! It would be fun to watch this racket if a fellow hadn't a conscience. Do you know, I'm getting to believe that men and things are built on the same lines. The sweeter the wine, the sharper the vinegar, and you may pound my head for a drum if the smartest man doesn't make the biggest kind of a fool." "I guess that's so, if he lets himself go. I'm not going to let go." Winston looked at Elijah with an expression that might be interpreted as jocular or serious. "Hold tight. I've seen men as sharp as you, crowding another fellow out and blowing hot air into his balloon." "Are you getting scared on my account?" Elijah smiled, looking at Winston with confident half-closed eyes. "No. If your bearings begin to smoke, I'm going to cool you off. It isn't going to be all lavender and roses, Elijah. You'll find me a pretty trying party at times, I give you fair warning." Elijah turned from the window, looking straight at Winston. "I'm going to begin right now. I've been at work all night. Now cool off and let's get to work." Winston sat down before the drawing-board.