."

"I must say I think you flatter yourself."

"Oh, I don't know. I know my job, and there ain't too many as can say
that. I've got brains."

"What makes you think so?"

"Well, I can see you're no fool."

Gertie chuckled with amusement. "He certainly put one over on you then,
Nora."

"Because you've got no use for me, there's no saying but what others may
have."

"I forgot that there's no accounting for tastes."

"I can try, can't I?"

Wishing to escape any further conversation with the object of her
detestation, and seeing her opportunity now that the dishes were washed,
Nora started to empty the dishpan in the sink in the pantry. But Gertie,
who divined her motive and wished the sport to continue, forestalled
her.

"I'll do it," she said. "You finish wiping the dishes."

"It's very wise of you to go to an agency," said Nora in answer to his
last question. "A girl's more likely to marry you when she's only seen
you once than when she's seen you often."

"It seems to make you quite mad, the thought of me marrying!" with a
wink at the others.

"You wouldn't talk about it like that unless you looked down upon women.
Oh, how I pity the poor wretched creature who becomes your wife!"

"Oh, I guess she won't have such a bad time--when I've broken her in to
my ways."

"And are you under the impression that you can do that?"

"Yep."

"You're not expecting that there'll be much love lost between you and
the girl whom you--you honor with your choice?"

"What's love got to do with it?" asked Taylor in affected surprise.
"It's a business undertaking."

"What!" Nora's eyes were dark with indignation and anger.

"None at all. I give her board and lodging and the charm of my society.
And in return, she's got to cook and bake and wash and keep the shack
clean and tidy. And if she can do that, I'll not be particular what she
looks like."

"So long as she's not cock-eyed," Reggie reminded him.

"No, I draw the line at that."

"I beg your pardon," said Nora with bitter irony; "I didn't know it was
a general servant you wanted. You spend a dollar and a half on a
marriage license and then you don't have to pay any wages. It's a good
investment."

For the first time she seemed to have pierced the enemy's armor.

"You've got a sharp tongue in your head for a girl, Nora."

"Please don't call me Nora."

"Don't be so silly, Nora," said her brother with a trace of irritation.
"It's the custom of the country.