"Don't be silly," was Hertha's sufficient answer.
"That's a grand fellow walking with her," Dick announced. "He might be a colonel out of uniform, but the girl isn't in it with you."
"Well, you needn't tell every one your opinion, please."
She blushed as she spoke for they had attracted the attention of the people about them. A middle-aged gentleman, whose seat she knew was behind Dick's, was smiling and she quite erroneously believed was enjoying her discomfiture. "Let's go back," she suggested, touching Dick lightly on the arm; and the youth, happy at even so slight a sign of favor, and anxious to do her least bidding, returned with her to their seats.
"You aren't going back to your old work again, now are you?" he asked.
"No."
"I was thinking, if you want to take up stenography, I know the best school in town. It's across the river, a mighty nice place, where you'll meet a good class of girls. It don't cost such a lot, and you can enter any time you want."
"Yes?"
"And there's something I want to talk with you about. It's really important. Won't you take a walk with me to-morrow?"
"I don't know, I haven't much time. You see, I want to go to church in the morning and I'm going out to dinner at night."