rothers were
"capable, hard-working young business men," and the principal difference
between them was merely that which resulted from Jim's being still a
bachelor. Physically they were of the same type: dark of eyes and of
hair, fresh-colored and thick-set, and though Roscoe was several inches
taller than Jim, neither was of the height, breadth, or depth of the
father. Both wore young business men's mustaches, and either could have
sat for the tailor-shop lithographs of young business men wearing "rich
suitings in dark mixtures."

Jim, approving warmly of his neighbor's profile, perceived her access of
color, which increased his approbation. "What's that old Roscoe saying
to you, Miss Vertrees?" he asked. "These young married men are mighty
forward nowadays, but you mustn't let 'em make you blush."

"Am I blushing?" she said. "Are you sure?" And with that she gave him
ample opportunity to make sure, repeating with interest the look wasted
upon Roscoe. "I think you must be mistaken," she continued. "I think
it's your brother who is blushing. I've thrown him into confusion."

"How?"

She laughed, and then, leaning to him a little, said in a tone as
confidential as she could make it, under cover of the uproar. "By trying
to begin with him a courtship I meant for YOU!"

This might well be a style new to Jim; and it was. He supposed it a
nonsensical form of badinage, and yet it took his breath. He realized
that he wished what she said to be the literal truth, and he was
instantly snared by that realization.

"By George!" he said. "I guess you're the kind of girl that can say
anything--yes, and get away with it, too!"

She laughed again--in her way, so that he could not tell whether she was
laughing at him or at herself or at the nonsense she was talking; and
she said: "But you see I don't care whether I get away with it or not.
I wish you'd tell me frankly if you think I've got a change to get away
with YOU?"

"More like if you've got a chance to get away FROM me!" Jim was inspired
to reply. "Not one in the world, especially after beginning by making
fun of me like that."

"I mightn't be so much in fun as you think," she said, regarding him
with sudden gravity.

"Well," said Jim, in simple honesty, "you're a funny girl!"

Her gravity continued an instant longer. "I may not turn out to be funny
for YOU."

"So long as you turn out to be anything at all for me, I expect I can
manage to be satisfied." And with t