"The old brute!" exclaimed Bob. "Just stay right here. I can get plenty of work for you."
"But I have no machine," she replied, and her eyes filled with tears.
"We have got to have one some day and may as well have it now as at any other time. I'll get the money and you can go and buy one," and turned and went out to the banking room, got $100 from the cashier and went back to her.
He found her with her face buried in her hands and sobbing as though her heart would break.
"Why, what in thunder is the matter, Gertie?" he exclaimed.
"Oh, Bob, I–I–you seem to be the only friend I have in the world."
"Well, I'm much afraid that I'll stand by you till I can't breathe. Come, brace up. Here's one hundred dollars. Go and buy a machine. Get the best in the market. If that isn't enough, come back and get more. I'll let Bowles and Bryant both know that my girl can get on without them!" and he thrust the roll of bills into her hands as she spoke.
"Bob, am I your girl?" she asked, looking shyly up at him through her tears.
"Of course you are, unless you don't want to be."
"You won't go back on me when you get rich, will you?" she asked.