When I heard the ring, I just happened--" "I understand.

You wouldn't have answered the door, if almost all the regular servants had not been gone.

Now, I'd say," smiling engagingly, "that you might be the cook, and a mighty good cook, too." He had such an "air," did this young man,--the human air of the real gentleman,--that, despite the unexpectedness of his overture, the stout woman, instead of taking offense, flushed with pleasure.
"I ought to be a good one, sir; that's what I'm paid for." "Seventy-five a month ?" estimated the young gentleman.
"Eighty," corrected the cook.
"That's mighty good--twenty dollars a week.

But, Mrs.Cook,"-- again with his open, engaging smile,--"pardon me for not knowing your proper name,--could I induce you to enter my employment--at, say, twenty dollars a minute ?" "What--what--" "For only a limited period," continued the young gentleman--"to be exact, say one minute.

Light work," he added with a certain whimsicality, "short hours, seven days out--unusual opportunity." "But what--what am I to do ?" gasped the cook, and before she could gasp again one surprised black glove was clutching two ten-dollar bills.
"Arrange for me to see Miss Gardner--alone.