"What good do you suppose will be gained by my seeing her? What sort of work does she want?"
"She has been trying for a secretaryship; but she's tried, and tried, and nothing's come of it; and now she'd be only too glad to do anything by which she could earn money. You see, sir, you know all kinds of people, and I thought that if you saw her, so that you might know what she's like, and how it is with her, you might think of some one who could give her work; I know you wouldn't regret it if you did."
"Mr. Gibb, you're a--you're a person of a Mephistophelian habit! Mind you, I've no more chance of putting anything in the way of your lady born and bred, who's as high as the heavens above you, than the man in the moon; but I've got plenty of time on my hands; I'm always ready to see any one; and I've no objection to see her."
"Thank you, sir. Will you see her to-morrow morning?"
"Look here, Mr. Gibb, are you trying to bustle me?"
"Well,' sir, you see she's pawning her things----"
"Pawning her things! and you say she's a lady."
"Yes, sir, she is pawning her things, and she is a lady; and it's because I've reason to know that she may have to pawn something else either to-day or to-morrow that I've mentioned her to you at all; because when she's pawned all she's got what will she do?"
"Do you want me to lend her some money? or to give her some?"
Mr. Gibb smiled.