Page:Man's Country (1923).pdf/197

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important of these the General Sales Manager passed on to the President.

But George, more politic when he met these doubters face to face than when he only read their letters, was nevertheless quite unyielding. He laughed at them, he taunted them, he challenged them, and it was a tribute to his own ability as a salesman that he actually resold the project to these men over their doubts and in spite of their fears. He made them doubt themselves instead of doubting him and his enterprise. Not a man of them but went out pinning his faith once more to the Nemo model and with a half-chagrined smile at himself for ever having wavered.

Fay was surprised, one night, while sitting on her husband's lap, to notice lines of care etching themselves into his forehead.

"You stick too close to that old shop," she warned. "You must come with me for a long drive tomorrow."

"All right, sweetheart," he said with an agreeableness and a smile that gave utter denial to the idea that he was overtired or worried.

And he kissed her every fear away—until one day Maidie Huffler thought to brighten her period of enforced seclusion by a little well-meant sympathy.

"Isn't it just too bad about George over-staying his market that way?" she began.