“You will not suit,” she said, after one short but decisive stare. “You are not up to our mark.”
“I don’t wish to be a Brother,” I replied.
“Then what do you want?” she answered.
“Miss Buller,” I inquired, as if my life depended on the response, “how did you ever think of this wonderful scheme?”
She laid down her pen, and turned in her chair; and I saw that I had won.
“I’m tired of writing just now,” she began, “and I don’t mind if I tell you.
“‘i don’t mind if i tell you.’”
“I found myself obliged to increase my income by some means. I first thought of starting a servants’ agency; but the inconvenience I experienced from having no brothers to take me about suggested a novel idea to me. I was wondering if other girls felt as I did, when it flashed upon me that young men who, from any reasons, are in want of money, might let themselves out as brothers to well-to-do damsels possessing no fraternal relations. I immediately settled to start an agency for this object—somewhat on the principle of ‘Lady Guides’—the full title being ‘The agency for supplying Brothers to brotherless girls, or those with unobliging brothers.’ I resolved to call it shortly ‘The Brothers’ Agency.’ It is a good name, and gives to the undertaking a kind of monastic flavour that I find is very taking.
“Of course I only began in a small way amongst the men and girls I knew personally; but my business spread so rapidly that I soon started a regular office, and issued printed rules.