I frankly told him the situation.

It looked as if I might win out at writing.

The chance was good, but not certain.

Now, if he would pass me by and select the next man on the eligible list and give me a call at the next vacancy-- But he shut me off with: "Then you don't want the position ?" "But I do," I protested.

"Don't you see, if you will pass me over this time--" "If you want it you will take it," he said coldly.
Happily for me, the cursed brutality of the man made me angry.
"Very well," I said.