"Oh—not much. Only I—er—I have just ex experienced quite a loss, and it makes me—blue."
"That's too bad!"
"Yes," he went on. "I had an opportunity of getting a first-class position, but another fellow got ahead of me."
"How's that?"
"Well, you see, a firm in New City needs a manager. I have good backing, and was almost certain of the place. But another fellow had just as good a chance, and it was a question of who got there first. I was delayed here and missed the only train that would bring me there on time. He caught it, and is now on his way there. He'll get the place and I—won't."
"But why don't you take a machine and go there? You can do it as quickly as the train can."
"Take a machine?" he repeated. "I wouldn't dare. I'd be sure to lose my place here, and might not get the other. I haven't a car in the place I would dare risk taking out on the road. The owners are too particular about them, and I can't blame them, either."
Cora thought for a moment. A daring plan came into her mind.
"Let me take you," she suggested.
"Oh, indeed, I would not think of such a thing. I should not have mentioned my troubles to you. But they were so—so much to me that I didn't realize what I was doing. But let me look at your car."