The office, after all, was not so unbearably prison-like. There was the balm of friendship--a double friendship--which is good for the self-respect of a man. And there was the work, with which he was growing more familiar and which, therefore, was more easily and quickly and better done. At his own suggestion the scope of his duties had been broadened; and he borrowed books from the library and tried to study out schemes to systematize Jonathan's business. Some of these schemes were not wholly absurd and one or two were adopted, which pleased Jonathan far more than David. Strictly speaking, David was not putting his heart into his work, but he was giving fidelity and a desire to do his best; and he was getting back, perhaps not happiness, but at least a measure of the honest workman's best reward. So that Jonathan's theorem was given a partial demonstration. Jonathan saw. "Mother," he said one evening, "I am more than a little ashamed. I took David Quentin into the office because Mr. Blaisdell said he was badly in need of a position and nothing else offered. I'm afraid I thought it a charity and was rather patronizing at first. I'm afraid," Jonathan sighed, "I am puffed up at times by my charities, which don't amount to so much, after all." "We are not required to be _too_ humble," she reminded him. "Why are you ashamed just now?" "It wasn't charity at all. David is really a very capable man and a hard worker. He more than earns his salary--I'll have to raise that very soon. I can't understand how he failed as an architect." "Perhaps he didn't have the right talent. I understand architecture is a very difficult profession." "It is a noble art," said Jonathan, "and very few men have the talent. That must be the explanation, though I've looked up some of his work and it seems quite as good as that of many architects I know. But I find it hard not to be glad that he was forced to come to me. He is the most likable man I have ever met." "He seems attractive," said his mother, less sweepingly, "and has excellent manners. He is good-looking, is he not?" "Very." Jonathan winced. "He is just what a man would like to be. And I never had a friendship that meant quite so much to me." "Has he displaced Miss Summers?" "Miss Summers," said Jonathan, "is--different. What shall I read to-night--_Earnest Maltravers_?" Boarding-houses that are both good and cheap are not easy to find. David took his problem to Esther Summers. It made an excuse for a minute's chat. He liked to watch the dancing lights in those expressive gray eyes.