"Here it would not do at all. One's people know best about such things.
One must be careful at all times. But you Americans are so wicked!"
"How does a fellow ever get acquainted with a girl down here? How does he get a chance to propose?"
But this frank questioning on so sacred a topic was a little more than the young lady was prepared to meet, and for the moment confusion held her tongue-tied.
"One's people attend to that, of course," she managed to say, at length, then changed the subject quickly.
"Do you live in Panama?" she asked.
"Yes. I work on the railroad, or will, in a few days."
"You are so young for such authority. It must be very difficult to manage railroads."
"Well—I won't have to run the whole works—at first. I'm beginning gradually, you know—one train at a time."
"That will be easier, of course. What did you say is your whole name?"
"Kirk Anthony."