t is worth some delay to be doubly sure that
I put down no plus signs as minuses."

"Yes, of course. How beautiful that is out there, isn't it?"

His eyes followed hers over the sunset spaces. "No, it is too quiet, too
monotonous. If there must be scenery, let it have some originality and
character. You yourself are very beautiful, I think."

Sharlee started, almost violently, and colored perceptibly. If a
text-book in differential calculus, upon the turning of a page, had
thrown problems to the winds and begun gibbering purple poems of
passion, she could not have been more completely taken aback. However,
there was no mistaking the utter and veracious impersonality of his
tone.

"Oh, do you think so? I'm very glad, because I'm afraid not many people
do...."

Mr. Queed remained silent. So far, so good; the conversation stood in a
position eminently and scientifically correct; but Sharlee could not for
the life of her forbear to add: "But I had no idea you ever noticed
people's looks."

"So far as I remember, I never did before. I think it was the appearance
of your eyes as you looked out over the plain that attracted my
attention. Then, looking closer, I noticed that you are beautiful."

The compliment was so unique and perfect that another touch could only
spoil it. Sharlee immediately changed the subject.

"Oh, Mr. Queed, has the Department you or Colonel Cowles to thank for
the editorial about the reformatory this morning?"

"Both of us. He suggested it and I wrote it. So you really cannot tell
us apart?"

She shook her head. "All this winter we shall work preparing the State's
mind for this institution, convincing it so thoroughly that when the
legislature meets again, it simply will not dare to refuse us. When I
mention we and us, understand that I am speaking to you Departmentally.
After that there are ten thousand other things that we want to do. But
everything is so immortally slow! We are not allowed to raise our
fingers without a hundred years' war first. Don't you ever wish for
money--oceans and oceans of lovely money?"

"Good heavens, no!"

"I do. I'd pepper this State with institutions. Did you know," she said
sweetly, "that I once had quite a little pot of money? When I was one
month old."

"Yes," said Queed, "I knew. In fact, I had not been here a week before I
heard of Henry G. Surface. Major Brooke speaks of him constantly,
Colonel Cowles occasionally. Do you," he asked, "care much abou