The door closed. He turned to Miss Phipps in bewildered consternation. She smiled at him reassuringly.
“So THAT'S all settled,” she said. “Now sit right down again, Mr. Bangs, and finish your breakfast.... Primmie, bring Mr. Bangs some hot coffee. HOT coffee I said, remember.”
Later, perhaps ten minutes later, Galusha ventured another statement.
“Miss Phipps,” he said, “I—I—Well, since you insist upon doing this for me, for a person whom you never met until yesterday, I think the very least I can do is to tell you who—or—ah—what I am. Of course if the Halls were here they would vouch for me, but as they are not, I—Well, in a case of this kind it is—ah—customary, isn't it, to give references?”
“References? As to your bein' able to pay the three dollars a day, do you mean?”
“Why, no, perhaps that sort of reference may not be necessary. I shall be glad to pay each day's board in advance.”
“Then what sort of references did you mean, references about your character?”
“Why—why, yes, something of the sort.”
Her eyes twinkled.
“Mr. Bangs,” she asked, “do you really think I ought to have 'em?”