“My dear Mary,” I said, “I shall be only too happy.”
She breathed a sigh and removed her hands.
“Oh, how lovely of you,” she said. “Now I must go on dressing.”
“But, my dear Mary,” I said, “is that necessary?”
“Oh, I think so,” she said. “You see, if I didn’t——”
I waved my hand.
“I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood me,” I said.
“Very likely,” she said. “I’m so stupid. But you’re going to help me, Mr. Carp, aren’t you?”
I bowed sympathetically.
“Nothing could please me more,” I said, “than to lead you out of darkness into the membership of our Union. But would it not be better to rise up at once—to rise up at once, I say, and come away?”