While talking French she held Edward spellbound. She spoke of Daudet,
Zola, George Ohnet, Chartrand, and many other modern novelists of the
French school, and it developed that her favorite authors were also
his.
"Why don't you stop in Chicago and see the city?" she asked him, at the same time inviting him to call at her home, and giving him a dainty, engraved card upon which he read her name: "Nellie King," with her address written with a lead pencil.
Edward could hardly believe his ears, and said that he would be delighted to stop in Chicago, but he was not alone, and his friend might not want to.
"I am sure that you can induce your friend to stop a day or two, if you care to, and I would be very glad to entertain you while in the city," she said with her most winsome smile.
"If you really care to have me stop, I will, even if my friend does not want to," said Edward, entirely decided to do so.
He went over to his friend Ben, who was just awakening from a doze, and mentioned the idea of stopping in Chicago.
The Russian was surprised and said: "Why, Edward, we know no one in
Chicago; what's the use to stop there and, spend time and money!"
"Yes, I do know some one there," answered Edward, blushing like a maiden. "I know a lovely girl who would like very much to have me stop."
The Russian looked surprised, and asked Edward where he had met that girl.
"Right in this car," answered Edward.