Finally she turned to him with a little laugh.

"You might begin on your list, and if I am called away you can finish it at another time." "I hope you didn't think I was speaking in earnest," he said.
"No," she replied, "I did not think you really intended to unpack your wares, but, speaking seriously--and at the risk, I fear, that you may think me rather 'cheeky,' if I may be allowed that expression--I know a good many men in America, and I think that without an exception they are professional men or business men, or, being neither--and I know but few such--have a competence or more; and I was wondering just now after what you told me what a man like you would or could do if he were thrown upon his own resources.

I'm afraid that is rather frank for the acquaintance of a day, isn't it ?" she asked with a slight flush, "but it really is not so personal as it may sound to you." "My dear Miss Blake," he replied, "our acquaintance goes back at least ten years.

Please let that fact count for something in your mind.

The truth is, I have done some wondering along that same line myself without coming to any satisfactory conclusion.