“Well, it’s a deal!”
A half-hour later, when they rose to go, Jimmy turned to his hostess.
“While your husband has treated us fairly,” he said, “we have to thank you, and that makes it a point of honor to show you were not mistaken.”
He noticed now that there were wrinkles which suggested anxious thought already forming about her eyes, and that her hands were work-hardened; but she smiled at him.
“One learns in keeping store that a customer’s character is quite as important as his bank account.”
“That’s the nicest thing I’ve had said about me since I came to British Columbia!” Bethune declared gaily.
Mrs. Jaques smiled.
“If you find the evenings dull before you sail, come in and talk to us,” she said.
When they went outside, Bethune made a confession.
“I felt strongly tempted to take our custom somewhere else. They’re nice people, and it looks as if they found it hard enough to get along.”