"You are right, I wanted to do it, but Ralph wouldn't consent. He meant all right," he added hastily. "I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll let you have five thousand dollars of my stock at fifty. That will set you straight."
"No it won't." There was no levity in Helen's voice.
"Why?" Elijah's eyes opened in surprise.
"Because that would be a present, and I don't want presents. What I get, I want to get myself."
"It wouldn't be a present. It would be a reward. You've earned it." Elijah spoke earnestly and warmly.
"From you, not from the company," she replied decidedly and with finality. "Besides, I've discovered a way to help myself. That's better."
"That brings us back to the first point. What were you mulling over?"
Helen drew the map toward them and weighted down the corners.
"Oranges don't mind a breath of cold air now and then; they're dead set against a freeze out." She was looking quizzically at Elijah. An expression of assured satisfaction came over her face at Elijah's astonishment.
His head was thrown back as he raised his eyes to Helen's face.