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While Jim's affection manifested itself in silent watchfulness, in unobtrusive, secret little acts of thoughtfulness and care, Saradokis was announcing Pen as the Duchess to all their friends and openly singing his joy in her beauty and cleverness. For even at sixteen Pen showed at times the clear minded thoughtfulness that later in life was to be her chief characteristic.
There was nothing unusual about a letter from Uncle Denny and ordinarily Jim waited for his bath and clean clothes before reading it. But this time, with an inexplicable sense of fear, he picked it up and read it at once. "STILL JIM, MY BOY: We've had a blow. All the year Penelope has been seeing Saradokis. She has made no bones of it, and he would not let her alone.
Ain't you old enough yet to know that a lift under the arm carries a fellow twice as far as a kick in the pants? Here's the Boss now. Light on him! Poor old scout!" Jim was on horseback. He rode slowly up and dismounted. "How are you, Ames? And Mrs. Ames? Have you met Mrs. Saradokis?
Jim's smile flashed and Penelope wondered what she liked best about it, his white teeth, his merriness or his wistfulness. "There's the dinner bell!" exclaimed Jim. "As Uncle Denny says, I'm so hungry me soul is hanging by a string. Come on, Penelope." Penelope entered Jim's life as simply and as easily as Saradokis did. Sara charmed both Jim and Penelope.
Jim had spent his previous vacations with the family at the shore. Saradokis was planning to become a construction engineer, with New York as his field. He wanted Jim to go into partnership with him when they were through college.
At this moment, Saradokis burst in the door. He was dressed and his face was vivid despite his exhaustion. "Hey, Still! What happened to you? Everybody's looking for you. Congratulate me, old scout!" Jim looked from Sara's outstretched hand to his beaming face. Then he put his own hand in his pocket. "That was a rotten deal you handed me, Sara," he said in the drawl that bit. "What!" cried Sara.
The three entered the grand stand just as the white dots appeared under the elevated tracks at 66th street. There was a roar, a fluttering of banners, a crash of music from a band and a single runner broke from the group and staggered against the line. Saradokis had won the race. Jim was not to be seen. Uncle Denny was frantic. "Where's me boy?" he shouted.
The next two weeks were busy and hurried. Pen, a little wistful eyed whenever she looked at Jim, avoided being alone with him. Saradokis did not come to the house again. He took two weeks in the mountains after graduation before beginning the contracting business which his father had built up for him.
She watched in silence for a moment, then she said: "Mr. Williams. I'm worried about Jim. Is it really true that they are trying to oust him?" Iron Skull looked at Pen's anxious hazel eyes, then out at the ranges. Then he scratched his head. "I'm a little worried myself, Mrs. Saradokis. He's up against a bad proposition and he just won't admit it. I don't like to nag him.
"I told you to keep quiet, Sara, that Jim would never say anything!" cried Uncle Denny. "Get in, both of you," said Jim's mother quietly. "Don't make a scene on the street." "If Saradokis gets in, I'll take the Elevated home," said Jim slowly. "Don't worry!" snapped Sara. "I'm meeting my father in a moment. Pen, you believe in me, don't you?"
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