"Then there's no chance for me at all, Julie?"
"Oh, Mark, I feel rotten about it!" said Julia frankly, her eyes full of pity and regret, and yet a curious relief evident in her voice. "I am so sorry! I've just been thinking of girls who like this sort of thing—I don't see how they can! I am so sorry! But you won't mind very long, Mark; you won't always care; you'll—why, there's Doctor Studdiford's automobile!"
For they were in sight of The Alexander now, and could see the electric runabout at the door. Motor cars were still new to San Francisco and to the world, and a crowd of curious children surrounded the machine.
"What's he there for?" Mark asked gruffly.
Julia explained: the accident—the emergency call.
"Well, but the kid is not there now, you say?"
"Yes, I know. But he didn't know that. I suppose he's calling on his aunt."
To this Mark made no immediate answer. Presently he said:
"City and County! I'll bet the city pays for his automobile!"
"Oh, no!" Julia protested. "He's a rich man in his own right, Mark."