HORACE TAKES A STAND 109 
“‘My God!’’ cried the sick man, as he saw that 
Frazer was in earnest. ‘‘Don’tsay that! I thought 
I was doing all right, but I’ll work harder yet. I'll 
do superhumanly! Just try me once more!’ 
Frazer did not relish the situation at all. He was 
used to handling men who were the reverse of diffi- 
cult to discharge. More often than not they antici- 
pated such a, possibility by judicious resignation. 
“T’ll tell you what I’ll do,’’ he finally agreed, ‘* Ill 
ask Conway and Wallace if they’ll stand for another 
week or so of your work, and if they want to take a 
chance, all right.’’ 
Horace threatened to become effusive and Frazer 
hastily withdrew to consult with the others. The 
baseline party, after some discussion, agreed to the 
probationary arrangement upon one condition. 
Wallace stated this proposition when he said: 
‘<T’ll guarantee to keep Wetherby in good shape if 
he’ll throw away his medicines and eat sensibly. If 
he won’t agree to that I don’t want him around at 
all.”’ 
‘““That’s not a bad idea,’? Conway chimed in. 
‘‘There’s really nothing the matter with Horace but 
indigestion. If he’s willing to diet and work, I’m 
willing, for my part, to stand him a while longer.’’ 
’ Of course Horace protested loudly when the 
scheme was proposed to him, but finally yielded to 
necessity. He cast away his pills and powders, 
gloomily prophesying disease and death as a result. 
He promised to restrict himself in the matter of 
