She surprised
him by looking at him calmly, reflectively, and saying:
``Yes, you could afford it, couldn't you?''
``I'm sure I could. And it's the sort of thing that's
done every day. Of course, no one'd know that we had
made this little business arrangement. But that's easily
managed. I'd be glad if you'd let me do it, Mildred.
I'd like to feel that I was of some use in the world.
And I'd like to do something for YOU.''
By way of exceedingly cautious experiment he
ventured to put ever so slight an accent of tenderness upon
the ``you.'' He observed her furtively but nervously.
He could not get a hint of what was in her mind. She
gazed out toward the rising and falling horizon line.
Presently she said:
``I'll think about it.''
``You must let me do it, Mildred. It's the sensible
thing--and you know me well enough to know that
my friendship can be counted on.''
``I'll think about it,'' was all she would concede.
They discussed the singing career all that and the
succeeding days--the possibilities, the hopes, the dangers--
but the hopes a great deal more than the dangers.
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