"I was advised to invest in building lots, so I looked the matter up. I am giving you these figures so you can see that I know how to appreciate what your work means." Her face sobered. She screwed paper and carbons into her machine and opened her note-book. She did not raise her eyes from her work.
"Don't wait, Mr. Berl. I'll have the work done in three hours."
Elijah left the office half dazed. Every word of Helen Lonsdale smote hard and deep. Not alone because of their surprising nature, but because his own work had never before appeared so worth while. Heretofore it had only appeared great in itself. Now it stood out gigantic by contrast. He was pleasantly conscious of another element that was entering his life for the first time; the sympathetic interest of an intelligent woman.
Punctually at the appointed time, Elijah returned. Helen was still busily at work.
"Am I too soon?" he asked.
She handed him a neatly enclosed package.
"That's all right, I think. Do you want to open an account, or will this be all?"
Elijah spoke very deliberately.
"I will open an account. I shall have more work."
"Very well. I send out monthly statements to my regular customers." Her eyes were again following her note-book, her fingers working at the rattling keys.