"Do you think I could be of any use to her father? Not to win his favor, you understand, but I should be so happy to do anything to serve her or her friends. Can't you tell me now?"
"No. Mr. St. Clair does not need assistance in any way that I know."
In spite of the boy's earnestness, the idea of his offering patronage to the mature and independent American struck me as irresistibly ludicrous.
"But you will tell him all about me."
"Yes."
"I shall learn to speak English—I have begun already—and in a year I shall be in America. Will you write your address for me on this card?"
I did so.
"If you ever come to Spain, remember that my house and all that is in it are yours."
"I shall never go to Spain."
"Perhaps you will one day to see Miss St. Clair," looking up in my face with a bright smile of inextinguishable hope. "Good-bye for a year."