"But what are the 'lines of my part?'" inquired the other, dolefully.
"Take her hand once in yours and they will come to you," retorted Weil.
Roseleaf reddened so much that Archie regretted the severity of his tone, and hastened to turn the conversation to something more agreeable. He made up his mind, however, to have a talk with Miss Fern, and at the first opportunity he did so. It was on an afternoon when he knew Roseleaf was in the city, and he came to the point at once, after his own fashion.
"How are you and my young friend getting along?" he asked her.
"Oh, as well as possible," she responded. "I am learning to like him more and more. I really shall be sorry when his task is done."
Mr. Weil shrugged his shoulders.
"There's a bit of selfishness in your words, Miss Fern," he said. "Have you forgotten that he is not here to be useful to you alone; that you agreed to do what you could for him, as well?"
The girl cast down her pretty eyes in confusion.
"I am sure I have tried to be agreeable," she replied, gently.