"What experiment?"
He was somewhat taken aback: surely he must have misinterpreted her pleading. From the dispenser of fortune, he became the seeker of favours.
"I know it's not much of a position to offer you," said he, almost apologetically, "but if you care to accept it----"
"Of your assistant?" she asked, as though the idea had never entered her head.
"Why, yes. If you will consent to a month of very hard work. You would have to learn a little elementary juggling. You would have to give me instantaneous replies in act and speech. But if you would give yourself up to me I could teach you."
"But, mon pauvre André," she said, with an astonished air, "this is the last thing I ever dreamed of. I am so ignorant. I should put you to shame."
"Oh no, you wouldn't," said he, confidently. "I know my business. Wait. Les affaires sont les affaires. I should have to give you a little contract. Let us see. For the remainder of my tour--ten weeks--ten francs a day with hotel en pension and railway fares."
To Elodie, independent waif in theatre-land, this was wealth beyond her dreams. She stretched both hands across the table.
"Do you mean that? It is true? And, if I please you, you will keep me always?"
"Why not?" said Andrew. "And, if you show talent, we may come to a better arrangement for the next tour."