ants someting--and so I bring him over."

"That's mighty kind of ye, Otto--wait till I get me book. Careful,
Mike." The Irishman had just dumped a trunk on the sidewalk, ready to
be loaded on Jim's wagon. "And now," continued his mistress, "go to the
office and bring me my order-book--where'll I go for your baggage, sir?"

"That is a matter I will talk about later." He had taken her all in
with a rapid glance--her rosy, laughing face, her head covered by a
close-fitting hood, the warm shawl crossed over her full bosom and
knotted in the back, short skirt, stout shoes, and gray yarn stockings.

"I don't care where it is--Hoboken, Brooklyn--I'll get it. Why, we got a
trunk last week clear from Yonkers!"

"I haven't a doubt of it, my good woman"--he was still absorbed in the
contemplation of her perfect health and the air of breezy competency
flowing out from her, making even the morning air seem more
exhilarating--"but you may not want to go for my two trunks."

"Why not?" She was serious now, her brows knitting, trying to solve his
meaning.

Kling shuffled up alongside. "It's de room he vants, Kitty. I been
tellin' him about it. Bobby says dot odder man skipped an' you don't got
nobody now.

"Skipped! I threw him out, me and John, for swearin' every time
he stubbed his toe on the stairs," and up went her strong arms in
illustration. "And it isn't yer trunks, but me room. Who might ye be
wantin' it for?" She had begun to weigh him carefully in return. Up to
this moment he had been to her merely the mouthpiece of an order, to be
exchanged later for a card, or slip of paper, or a brass check. Now he
became a personality. She swept him from head to foot with one of her
"sizing-up" examinations, noticing the refinement and thoughtfulness of
his clean-shaven face, the white teeth, and the careful trimming of his
hair, and the way it grew down on his temples, forming a small quarter
whisker.

She noted, too, how the muscles of his face had been tightened as if
some effort at self-control had set them into a mask, the real man lying
behind his kindly eyes, despite the quick flash that escaped from them
now and then. The inspection over--and it had occupied some seconds of
time--she renewed the inquiry in a more searching tone, as if she had
not heard him aright at first. "And who did ye say wanted me room?"

"I wanted it."

"Yes, but who for?"

"For myself."

"What! To live in?"

"I hope so--I certainly do not w