it was very curious to feel that he had lived with himself, in a condition of rather close intimacy, all these years without realizing that he was capable of supreme emotions. jerome didn’t feel entirely at home with himself any more. no, to tell the truth he felt on terms of slight formality.

there was, of course, no mirror in the supply closet, and, since he had never before faced the obligation of dressing without the aid of a mirror, jerome spent an anxious thought on the possibility of being unable to negotiate his cravat. the absence of his own familiar looking glass reminded him, over again, of the vertiginous fact that he had said good-bye, though so informally, to all that had gone to compose his erstwhile existence. could he manage to reorganize his entire life in an instant? and how could he spend his days if not behind the counters of oaks, ferguson & whitley’s? but then the more back-patting problem presented itself: how could they ever manage without him? yes, this bore earmarks of a supreme emotion.

carefully attaching the clip to the ends of his tie, he snipped its pincher against the edge of his bargain counter shirt. it signified that he was now ready for whatever the day might hold.

gradually the members of mr. curry’s little troupe came straggling up into the welcome sunshine, wearing an aspect[86] of determined cheerfulness—which was, indeed, beginning to grow a bit seaworthy.

“everybody happy, no bones broken,” the comedian estimated in his twinkling way, as he went about slapping people on the back irrespective of sex. curiously enough—even somewhat bafflingly—this was a comedian a great deal funnier off the stage than on.

“ah, there, mr. stewart!” he approached and shook hands with tremendous respect.

and jerome amazed everybody by turning, even as he acknowledged the sober salutation, and winking broadly at the singers who stood looking on with an edge of amusement. the wink seemed to warn them they would have to be guarded from now on if they were to have fun at his expense.

jerome was making progress.