"Well, approximately?" "Oh, comparatively little. Just a nominal sum. It's really nothing more than a consideration to make the transaction legal. The expense wouldn't come until later. But why, my dear girl...." "This is all just supposing, you know," she interrupted with a smile. "Very well, just supposing--but why should you even suppose such a plan? Why should you want to take over a proposition which has been demonstrably unprofitable, even in skilled hands?" "How about Mr. Waring, and this man Ralston, and Anderson LeGore?" "But they're very wealthy." "Yes, but so am I wealthy," she said ingenuously. He was momentarily nonplussed. "But they would manage it for a purpose, rather than for profit," he cried. "Well, suppose I wanted to manage it for a purpose rather than for profit?" Baker rose and put his hand on her shoulder, as a suspicion took form in his mind. "Judith--you're not ... serious?" She tossed her head and smiled enigmatically. "And if I were?" He had no reply ready for that elfish question, so obviously, it seemed to him, designed for the purpose of arousing him to argument. And when he was silent, that guess seemed to be confirmed, for Judith's momentary animation faded. She put her question quite indifferently. "I suppose there's nothing for me to do, is there?" "Oh, no. I just dropped in to prepare you for anything you might read and wonder about. Things will take their course. Just don't worry." Judith concealed a smile as she assured him that she would not. "When will they officially default?" she asked. "Oh, in a week or two." "Well, let's hope for the best." "Yes, I have great hopes of this Waring-LeGore-Ralston combination. It is quite possible that something may come of it. But don't be too sanguine," he added, as if fearful that he had raised her hopes unduly. Judith wandered about restlessly after he left her. John Baker would have been shocked indeed had he known the thoughts coursing in her brain. But she was not permitted even to muse for very long. In a few moments Roger came in, looking very tired and depressed. But at her solicitous inquiries he was noncommittal. He picked up a newspaper and read for a moment, listlessly. Then he threw it down. "Where were you last night?" she inquired, with a suspicion born of long experience. "Molly's," he replied shortly. "That all?" "Yes." "Why so solemn, then?" He lit a cigarette and flicked the match deftly into the fireplace. "Oh, we had it out, and she--said things." "What things?" "The same line you get off. About my not doing anything--and all that." "About not working, you mean?" "Yes." "Well--you have been a little slow at getting started, haven't you?" He fired up hotly at that. "And what if I have? It hasn't been for lack of trying, let me tell you. I've been doing my best to get a job ever since I said I would." "And you can't get one?" Judith smiled incredulously.