“I haven’t the least idea about business,” she confessed. “How does one begin at it?”
“I can’t say I know that myself as yet,” said Montague, laughing.
“Would you like to be a protege of my husband’s?” she asked.
The proposition was rather sudden, but he answered, with a smile, “I should have no objections. What would he do with me?”
“I don’t know that. But he can do whatever he wants down town. And he’d show you how to make a lot of money if I asked him to.” Then Mrs. Winnie added, quickly, “I mean it—he could do it, really.”
“I haven’t the least doubt of it,” responded Montague.
“And what’s more,” she went on, “you don’t want to be shy about taking advantage of the opportunities that come to you. You’ll find you won’t get along in New York unless you go right in and grab what you can. People will be quick enough to take advantage of you.”
“They have all been very kind to me so far,” said he. “But when I get ready for business, I’ll harden my heart.”
Mrs. Winnie sat lost in meditation. “I think business is dreadful,” she said. “So much hard work and worry! Why can’t men learn to get along without it?”
“There are bills that have to be paid,” Montague replied.