I don't mean it so.

I can't explain exactly why I want to know, but I have a reason." "Ask it by all means," she said.

"I'll promise that I'll answer it if I can." "You say that you are--a journalist.

Have you taken it up for a pastime, or--to earn money ?" "To earn money by all means," she answered, laughing.

"I like the work, but I shouldn't care for it half so much if I didn't make my living at it.