“Is it possible?” she answered in a surprised tone.
“That’s right. The first week after I came to New York, Joe took me to the New Amsterdam Theatre. That was actually the very first time I ever was in a theatre. On the afternoon of Washington’s Birthday I went over with Joe to Proctor’s Fifth Avenue house. I’ve lived in the backwood, as they call it, the greater part of my seventeen years.”
“I’m sure no one would think so by your appearance or your manners,” said his charming companion. “You are not at all countrified.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I have tried to adapt myself to my surroundings. Joe helped to break me in, and I am sure I am indebted to you for the polish.”
“It is very nice of you to say that,” she answered, with a blush. “I am very glad indeed if I have helped you in any way.”
“You have generously introduced me into your own sphere of society, and that is a privilege I might otherwise have wished for in vain. It gave me a chance to associate with well-bred and educated young persons of my own age, who as a rule have treated me very nicely. It was a great advantage to me to be under your wing, as it were, and I have improved it as much as possible. I was a pretty awkward fellow when you first knew me.”
“Really, I don’t think you ever were what I should call awkward,” she said, with a smile, “though of course you were not au fait—that’s French for instructed or expert—in city ways. But dear me! there isn’t the slightest sign of hayseed about you now,” and she laughed merrily.
“The credit then is all yours, Miss Jennie,” said Dick, gallantly. “I’m afraid I’ll never be able to repay——”
“Dick Armstrong!” cried the girl, suddenly putting her gloved hand across his mouth in an imperative sort of way. “You forget what I owe you—what papa and mamma owe you!”
“But think what your father has done—is doing for me right along, Miss Jennie. It was the assurance that he was at my back that enabled me to carry this real estate deal through and put five thousand dollars in my pocket.”