“Could I have a moment with you, sir, before you leave?”
It was Barnes’ turn to look surprised.
“Why—yes,” he agreed.
Barnes turned again to Aunt Philomela.
“You have lost some of your color,” he said unexpectedly. “Would you mind if I gave you some good advice?”
She looked bewildered but she shook her head.
“It’s just this,” he continued, “don’t worry over your accounts.”
“No,” she answered.
She spoke so mildly that the girl smiled.
“For,” he went on didactically, “there’s nothing so bad for the nerves as modern business methods.”