Strickland [with curious insistence]. You are sure you never knew anybody of that name?
The Girl. How can I be sure? I may have; I don't remember it.
Strickland [abruptly]. How old are you? [He gives her no time to answer.] You're not twenty, are you?
The Girl [smiling]. Do you think so?
Strickland [continuing the current of his thoughts]. And I'm forty-seven. It was more than twenty-five years ago.... You couldn't have known.
The Girl [after a pause]. No, sir.
Strickland [looking at her with something of fear in his eye]. What is your name?
The Girl. Does it matter? You didn't recognize my face a few minutes ago; my name can't mean much to you. I'm just one of the office force: I'm the girl who answers when you push the button three times. [She opens a handbag.] These are the letters I brought with me.
Strickland [not offering to take them]. What are they about?
The Girl [opening the first]. This is from a woman who wants to invest some money.