"I came," he said, "to ask you one or two questions—if I may."
"Ask them," she answered, as in a dream.
"Then—you go to business, do you not?"
"Yes."
He nodded: "And now I'm going to venture another question which may sound impertinent, but I do not mean it so. May I?"
"Yes," she said in a low, hushed voice, as though a clearer tone might break some spell.
"It is about your salary. I do not suppose it is very large."
"My wages? Shall I tell you?" she asked, so innocently that he flushed up.
"No, no!—I merely wish to—to find out from you whether you might care to take a chance of increasing your salary."