"Thank you, but one does not have to come to America to learn to speak English. In fact, quite the reverse, many say. It happens that my mother was English, and I am an Oxford man. However, you are right. I have been in America once before."
She had resumed checking the papers, placing them one by one, after a close scrutiny, into the box marked "Outgoing Mail." Rodrigo tried his luck once more on the intimate tack, "Are you fond of the theatre, Miss Drake?"
The look she gave him could not have been construed as friendly. "Yes," she replied. "I go quite often—with my mother." And she returned to her paper with renewed concentration.
After a few moments of silence, Rodrigo rose and pretended a sudden interest in the pictures adorning the office wall. Every now and then he stole a glance back at her bent head. He did not like to admit to himself that he had made no more impression upon this pretty girl than as if he were the chair upon which he had been sitting.
He had hardly resumed his seat when John Dorning and Madison appeared at the door of the office, still talking earnestly together. Madison eyed the scene within, showing the well groomed and handsome Italian edging his chair nearer to Mary Drake and evidently trying to become better acquainted with her. The manager glanced significantly at Dorning. What met his eye seemed to confirm his belief as to the demoralizing effect of foreigners. John laughed and patted Madison's shoulder, terminating their interview, and Madison walked off.
"Well, have you told Rodrigo all about our business?" Dorning asked his secretary, smiling.
"Count Torriani did not ask me about the business," she replied, rising and making a movement to retire to her own little private office that adjoined Dorning's at the rear. Rodrigo grinned. The girl had a tongue.
Mary walked briskly over to her own sanctum and closed the door behind her.
"Rodrigo, I want you to be good friends with Miss Drake," John said gravely in a confidential voice. "She has this whole business at her finger tips—a remarkable girl in every way. Good as gold. She can smooth the way for you here better than anyone else can. Everybody likes and respects her and will be strong for anybody she sponsors. There is no nonsense about Mary Drake. She is all business."
"But, John," Rodrigo asked, genuinely puzzled, "you called her 'Mary' out there. Is that the custom with employers and their secretaries over here?"