"That's offering me a bribe," she said. "Besides, I believe your aunt pays my salary."
"I'll make up the difference out of my allowance."
"No, thank you."
Bill had never learned the science of dealing with women. There are about 350,000,000 grown men in the world, all exactly like Bill. So, while he felt that he had been singled out as the sole victim of a Machiavellian female, in reality he had all mankind for a companion. The sheer hopelessness of his plight made him calm again.
"You admit that you're my secretary, don't you?" he asked.
Mary nodded.
"Then I'm entitled to your advice. Isn't that so?"
"Yes," answered Mary, cautiously. "I wouldn't volunteer advice, but if you ask it, that's different."
"All right; I ask it. Advise me how I can duck this party."
Mary laughed outright.