It was, too, a subject which greatly interested Jeff and Sam
Miller. His cousin might smile at his poses, and often did, but he
never denied James qualities likely to carry him far.

"His one best bet is his belief in himself," Sam announced one
night.

"It's a great thing to believe in yourself."

"He's so dead sure he's cast for a big part. The egoism just oozes
out of him. He doesn't know himself that he's a faker."

"He is a long way from that," Jeff protested warmly.

"Take his oratory," Miller went on irritably. "It's all bunk. He
throws a chest and makes you feel he's a big man, but what he says
won't stand analysis--just a lot of platitudes."

"Don't forget he's young yet. James K. hasn't found himself."

"Sure there's anything to find?"

"There's a lot in him. He's the biggest man in the university
to-day."

"You practically wrote the oration that won the interstate
contest. Think I don't know that?" Miller snorted.

Jeff's mouth took on a humorous twist. "I gave him some
suggestions. How did you know?"