Miss Frink withdrew her hand. “What could put such a wild idea into your head, Grim? So far from dispensing with you, I feel it an occasion to speak of my appreciation of your faithful service. In the great joy that has come to me I long to give happiness. If it pleases you to know that your efficient work is not taken for granted, but that it is given its full value, I want you to realize that I thank you.” She paused and the secretary bowed silently.
“In the changes that will result from the discovery of my nephew, I want you to know also that none will affect you. You are mentioned in my will, and nothing regarding you in that will be changed.”
Grimshaw did not alter his position, but some pulse leaped to his throat. It was not a leap of gladness. If that were the case, then his employer’s plans for him had fallen below expectations.
“In short,” said Miss Frink, “since this great blessing that has come to me should make me a better woman, I hope to be a better friend to you and to all.” As her companion did not break the pause that followed this, she added: “I hope you don’t begrudge it to me, Grim?”
“By no means, Miss Frink,” he responded, without looking up. “Pardon me for a moment, I am much moved.”
Miss Frink was touched. “The good boy!” she thought. “Probably constant contact with me has made it impossible for him to express any feeling that does not regard dollars and cents.”
“My narrow life could not fail to narrow you,” she said humbly. “I hope we may both expand after this.”
Neither spoke for a minute. Grimshaw continued to look down, one hand toying with a paper-cutter.
At last she spoke: “I told Adèle you would take her over to Mrs. Cooper’s as soon as she was ready.”
“I shall be glad to,” he returned. “Adèle made a great impression last night.”