The Towers of Love by Stephen; Birmingham Page A

Hugh? You personally.”
    â€œWell, that’s what I’m still undecided about,” he said. “I’m still up in the air about that.”
    â€œWell,” his father said, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done, Hugh. I don’t know what your mother will think of this, and I hope you won’t disapprove. I haven’t committed you to anything, of course. But when your mother told me what you’d done, and that she’d got you to come home to think about things, I mentioned you to Walter Owens in New Haven. He’s head of New Haven Machine Tool, you know, one of our clients. And I mentioned to him that you’d left your agency and, well, they’re looking for an ad. manager and Walter Owens thought that with your experience you might just fill that slot.”
    â€œWell—” Hugh began.
    â€œHe’ll pay thirteen a year to start. It’s a growing company, Hugh. It’s a good company. Thirteen a year to start may not sound big by New York standards, but it’s a pretty good starting salary for around here, I’d say. And, hell, you don’t need a big salary now. And the company’s growing fast. It’s yours, Hugh, if you want it. Take it or leave it.”
    â€œIt would mean—well, it would mean living in New Haven.”
    â€œHell, you could live right here for that matter,” his father said. “You could commute to New Haven. God knows there’s plenty of room here. Your mother would like that.”
    â€œWell, let me think about it, Dad,” he said.
    â€œYes. You think about it. Your mother will have some idea of her own, of course. Sorry I haven’t got any more contacts lined up for you. But if you want any, just give me a little time and I’ll line up others.”
    â€œThanks,” he said. “Thanks very much, Dad.”
    â€œDon’t mention it. By the way, how does Anne feel about all this?”
    â€œOh, Anne is—well, whatever I decide to do will be all right with Anne.”
    â€œI see,” his father said. He looked at him closely. “Say, there’s—there’s nothing wrong between you and Anne, is there?”
    â€œNo,” he said, “there’s nothing wrong between Anne and me.”
    â€œGood. Well, I thought—well, I’m glad everything’s fine.”
    â€œYes, everything’s fine.”
    â€œIncidentally,” his father said, “are they going to keep your name in the firm? Will it still be Wallace and Carey?”
    â€œNo,” he said, “I told Joe he could change it. He’s calling it Joseph Wallace Associates.”
    â€œI don’t know why he’d want to do that. Why would he want to take your name off?”
    â€œWell, why should he keep my name? I’m not there any more.”
    â€œAnd the money he paid you—that was all free and clear, wasn’t it?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, free and clear?”
    â€œWell, I seem to remember when you first went with Joe—didn’t Joe lend you some money to buy into the firm?”
    â€œOh, yes,” Hugh said. “He lent me some money to buy in. But that was all paid back, Dad, a long time ago.”
    â€œOh, good,” his father said. “I’m glad to hear that. Good boy.” He picked up his coffee cup again and stared at it for a moment or two dolefully. “I still don’t see why he wouldn’t want to keep your name in the firm, though,” he said. “After all, the Carey name means something. After all.”
    Pappy had come to the study door and was standing there, head bent respectfully. “Telephone, please, sir,” he said, when Hugh turned to him. “Miss Everett.”
    â€œFor me?” Hugh’s father shouted. He always shouted when he spoke to Pappy. “Miss who ?” His big hand clamped down on the phone on his desk.
    â€œNo, it’s for me, Dad,” Hugh said, standing