“Why?”
“Because, Miss Graham, Seth Atkins took the position of lightkeeper here almost for the sole reason that no women ever came here. Mr. Atkins is a woman-hater of the most rabid type. I'll wake him up if you wish, but I won't be responsible for the consequences.”
The young lady stared at him in surprise, delighted surprise apparently, judging by the expression of her face.
“A woman-hater?” she repeated. “Is he really?”
“He is.” Mr. Brown neglected to add that he also had declared himself a member of the same fraternity. Perhaps he thought it was not necessary.
“A woman-hater!” Miss Graham fairly bubbled with mischievous joy. “Oh, jolly! now I'm CRAZY to meet him!”
The assistant moved toward the hall door. “Very good!” he observed with grim determination. “I think he'll cure your lunacy.”
His hand was outstretched toward the latch, when the young lady spoke again.
“Wait a minute,” she said. “Perhaps I had better not wake him now.”
“Just as you say. The pleasure is—or will be—entirely mine, I assure you.”