She woke up in the night. The bed beside her was empty. A slit of light glowed under the bathroom door. The sound of a steady, dry gagging came faintly through the dark, It went on and on as if this were the solution and if he tried hard enough the clot of agony would gush out. She lighted a cigarette and lay in the dark waiting. After awhile the light went out and she heard him go into the front room. The armchair sighed under him. Matches flared periodically as he smoked cigarette after cigarette through the night.

A startled hush spread through the office as Dave walked the length of the room. Some greeted him uncertainly, some too warmly. Some looked down quickly when his casual eyes caught them staring. He answered all who spoke but there was no smile in his friendliness. Going past the boss' secretary, he winked seriously and went into the private office without knocking. The grayhaired man behind the desk was reaching for the phone. His hand stopped. He opened his mouth, closed it, then smiled very cordially.

"Why, hello there, Dave boy! I didn't hear you knock. I must be getting deaf in my old age!"

"Am I still working here, Mr. Falter?"

"Sit down! Say, you're certainly looking fine considering all you've been through. You know, I was arrested once for drunkendriving and, do you know, those officious bastards grilled me for four solid hours until my . . .

"Am I?"

The older man took a deep breath and moved a blue pencil parallel to a red one. Dave turned to go.

"Oh now, hold on!"

"You answered me."

"It's not as simple as just yes or no, Dave. You're always so damned direct. It puts a person in an unfair position. Let's put it this way, Dave. In selling advertising, it's the salesman himself that's more important than anything else. You know that. We don't sell THINGS. We sell IDEAS and to believe in our ideas, our clients have to believe in US."

Dave was grinding out the cigarette he'd just lighted: "Mail my check as soon as you can. I'll be needing it."

"I hope you're not taking this personally, Dave boy. After all, business is business, and, well, I'm DAMNED sorry."

"So am I."

"I'm going to write you the best recommendation a man ever had!" "Think I'll end up having to get out of this field? I like it."

"Why, not at all, man! I've every faith you'll do BIG things in advertising some day. You were made for it! However, for your own comfort, I would suggest you start in again, in some other city, perhaps."

"Yes, I guess this guess this thing has livened many a business conversation around town."

Dave, there'll always be a few morons who delight in scandal. But I will say, all the people who REALLY know you, are WITH you right down the line withOUT exception. That's God's honest truth, Oh, I'll admit some of us were a bit surprised, Dave. But I've seen a lot of life and I always say every man to his own . . . a .

"Perversion. That's so true. Well, give my regards to that good-looking young son of yours. See you around."

He walked out. Mr. Falter stared at the door long after it had closed.

When he told her, Ann said, "Well, darling, you're not surprised, are you?" "It's just something to be expected so I should forget it?"

"Look at Mr. Falter's side of it a moment! He's in a terrible position, He's not a BAD man by any means. Don't forget I worked for him three years. He likes you and, what's more, he values you. He's really over a barrel. You of all people ought to be able to sympathize with the poor guy."