I thought it quite likely, but, of course, I didn't say so. I may be a fool but I have some tact.
"It's at the far corner of the park that we propose to put the library if you are good enough to let us have it," was all I ventured.
"H'm!" he mused. "Well, do you know, I like to help people who help themselves—that's my system."
I assured him that we of Raffleshurst were accustomed to helping ourselves to everything we could lay our hands on, a jest which even though it was only too true seemed to strike him pleasantly.
"What is that handsome structure you always pass over?" he asked, as I contrived to push the music-hall photograph aside for the fifth time.
I laughed deprecatingly. "Oh, that," I said, modestly—"that's only a little two-hundred-thousand-dollar music-hall and art gallery I have built for the town myself."
Oh, that wonderful Henriette! How did she know that generosity even among the overgenerous was infectious?
"Indeed!" said Mr. Carnegie, his face lighting up with real pleasure. "Well, Mr. Higginbotham, I guess— I guess I'll do it. I can't be outdone in generosity by you, sir, and—er— I guess you can count on the library. Do you think one hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be enough?"
"Well, of course—" I began.
"Why not make my contribution equal to yours and call it an even two hundred thousand dollars?" he interrupted.