He started at her touch.
“Mr. Graham,” she said, with exquisite tenderness, “life is too short to cherish its bitter feuds.”
“Yes,” he answered in a whisper barely audible.
“I am utterly alone and distressed over business affairs I do not understand. I have implicit faith in you. I need your help and advice. Will you refuse me what you would grant without question to a stranger who would call at this office and ask?”
John flushed and fumbled his hands nervously.
“Come, you will accept, will you not?” She extended her hand. “Shall we be friends?”
He trembled for a moment and his own hand resistlessly sought hers.
“Yes!” he cried with deep emotion, unconsciously crushing her hand in his.
“You will come to-morrow morning to the house and go over the papers with me?”
“To-morrow afternoon,” he replied, as a momentary cloud shadowed his brow. “I have an important engagement for the morning.” And he thought of Billy with a pang.