She took them without a moment's hesitation. Her eyes, as she
thanked him, were filled with gratitude.
"It is so kind of you," she murmured. "We never have any hesitation in
accepting money. May I know your name?"
"It is not necessary," the Professor answered. "You can enter me," he
added, as he held open the door for her, "as a friend--or would you prefer
a pseudonym?"
"A pseudonym, if you please," she begged. "We have so many who send us
sums of money as friends. Anything will do."
The Professor glanced around the room.
"What pseudonym shall I adopt?" he ruminated. "Shall I say that an oak
sideboard gives you five hundred dollars? Or a Chippendale sofa? Or," he
added, his eyes resting for a moment upon the little box, "a black box?"
The two girls from the other side of the table started. Even Quest swung
suddenly around. The Professor, as though pleased with his fancy, nodded
as his fingers played with the lid.
"Yes, that will do very nicely," he decided. "Put me down--'Black Box,'
five hundred dollars."
The girl took out her book and began to write. The Professor, with a
little farewell bow, crossed the room towards Quest. Lenora moved towards
the door.
"Let me see you out," she said to the girl pleasantly. "Don't you find
this collecting sometimes very hard work?"
"Days like to-day," the girl replied, "atone for everything. When I think
of the good that five hundred dollars will do, I feel perfectly happy."
Lenora opened the door.
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