Dunlap answered her telephone call with the words: "Well, Miss Arling, I'm working to-night—but I'll gladly postpone work for you." He accepted the invitation with alacrity and seemed quite pleased with the verandah welcome he received. Mrs. Arling was out, and he could not occupy the parlor alone with the daughter; but still he had reason to be thankful.
"How is Evan getting along?" was one of the first questions the bankclerk asked.
"Very well, I think," answered Frankie; then, settling immediately to business: "Tell me, Mr. Dunlap, is bank work very exciting?"
"Oh, I don't know. There are some things about it that keep up your spirits. Not so much the bank work itself as the associations."
"What do you mean by 'associations'?"
"Well—when a fellow gets moved, for instance, he meets new—"
"Girls?" suggested Frankie, smiling faintly.
"Yes—like you."
Miss Arling did not recognize the attempt at gallantry.
"I suppose you have been moved pretty often, haven't you, Mr. Dunlap?"