"But there will be no next time."
She shook her head with a doubtful smile. "The Company will make a 'next time.'"
He laughed aloud with a sudden sense of freedom that was new to him. "But you do not know," he said, "and I would not tell you until we were square again. I am not with the Company now."
She dropped her roll of bandages and looked at him. "Not with the
Company? When did you resign?"
"I didn't resign. They discharged me."
"Discharged you?"
"Yes; disgraceful, isn't it? I felt pretty bad at first; then I came to take it as a compliment; and now—now I am glad!"
Then he told her why Greenfield had sent for him; how he had met the Seer; and how he had advised Cartwright to supply the money her father needed.
"And you—you did—that, knowing it would cost you your position?" she exclaimed. "Oh, I am glad! That was fine; that was big—worthy your ancestors!" In her interest she was leaning towards him with flushed cheeks and bright eyes, and her voice was triumphant as if in some subtle way she was vindicated through his victory. The engineer felt her attitude and knew that she was right. It was her victory.
"Barbara," he said, holding out his hand; "Barbara, may I tell you now what it is that I need?"