Never! Never! The strain stops with me."
He dropped his pen abruptly and, turning off the light, flung himself
down on his bed. Jonas, listening long at the door, waited for the
full, even breathing that would mark the end of his day's work. But it
did not come, and dawn struggling through the hall window found Jonas
sitting on the floor beside the half-opened door, his black head
drooping on his breast, but his eyes open.
Enoch reached his office on the stroke of nine, as usual. His face was
a little haggard and set but he came in briskly and spoke cheerfully to
Charley Abbott.
"A little hotter than ever, eh, Abbott? I think you're looking
dragged, my boy. When are you going to take your vacation?"
"In the fall, after you have had yours, Mr. Secretary." The two men
grinned at each other.
"Did the Indian Commissioner find work for Miss Allen?" asked Enoch
abruptly.
"Oh, yes! And she was as surprised and pleased as a child."
"How do you know that?" demanded the Secretary.
Charley looked a little confused. "I took her out to lunch, Mr.
Huntingdon. Jove, she's the most beautiful woman I ever saw!"
"Well, let's finish off that report to the President, Mr. Abbott. That
must go to him to-morrow, regardless of whom or what I have to neglect
to-day.
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