For if--"
"Oh, you should never have tested me on such a question! Don't you see
that I'm the judge sitting in his or her own case? Two boarders gone at
one swoop! How shall I break the news to Aunt Jennie?"
He thought this over in silence and then said impatiently; "I'm sorry,
but I do not feel that I can consider that phase of the matter."
"Certainly not."
"The arrangement between us is a strictly business one, based on mutual
advantage, and to be terminated at will as the interests of either party
dictates."
"Exactly."
He turned a sharp glance on her, and rose. Having risen he stood a
moment, irresolute, frowning, troubled by a thought. Then he said, in an
annoyed, nervous voice:--
"Look here, will it be a serious thing for your aunt to lose me?"
The agent burst out laughing. He was surprised by her merriment; he
could not guess that it covered her instantaneous discovery that she
liked him more than she would ever have thought possible.
"While I'm on the other side--remember that," said she, "I'm obliged to
tell you that we can let the rooms any day at an hour's notice.
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