Olga closed the case with a resolute snap. "I shall send it back at once."
"Hadn't you better read the dedication?" suggested Nick.
She took up the strip of paper, stretched it out, frowned at it. The writing on this also was minute. After a moment she read it out. "'Dum spiro spero. N.W.' Just as I thought!"
"Do you know what it means?" asked Nick.
She shook her head vigorously. "And I don't want to know."
"Oh, that's a pity," he said. "Pray let me enlighten your ignorance. It means, 'While I breathe I hope'—a very proper sentiment which does the young man infinite credit."
"I can't imagine how you can laugh," said Olga fierily, tearing the strip to fragments. "Can't you see I'm really angry?"
"My dear child, that's why!" chuckled Nick. "It's the best thing I've seen for a long time. The young man has all my gratitude. He has done more for my little pal than I with the best intentions could ever do myself."
She stretched out her hand to him then with a little smile. "Nick, you silly old boy! Well, tell me what to do!"
"Quite sure you don't like him?" questioned Nick.