"As if you know anything about business."
"I assure you I have been very hard at work lately. I have gone into the question of employment very seriously."
"I doubt your having done anything seriously," laughed Grace.
"That is rather hard on a fellow, when a fellow has really tried."
"Come, Mr. Lyons, what have you tried?"
"I have offered myself as an agent to begin with. Agency is a very good thing. You spend no money yourself, and other people's money sticks to your fingers; it is really a very simple thing."
"And what are you agent for, may I ask?"
"Oh! the appointment is not confirmed, but I think I am on the high road to it. It does not much matter what it is as long as you can get people to buy. I have at this moment two things before me, of which I have really a very fair chance."
"Have you?"
"Are you sufficiently interested, Miss Rivers, to hear what they are?"