if he had not
already done so--"for the position you offer?"

"Ah!" exclaimed the widow, from whom no alternation of his mobile
countenance seemed to escape, "it is your turn now; I must not receive
all the honors."

"Well," replied Dennis, altogether aware of the graceful courtesy of
this exquisite woman, and constituted by nature, if not by past
association, to accord it due appreciation, "well, there isn't much to
say, but here's my outfit:

"I am sorry to have to begin badly. I don't know anything about flowers.
I can't tell you, even, the difference between a shamrock and a
clover."

"All that can be easily remedied," his listener reassured him; "but
proceed."

"But there's one thing I'm sure about," continued Dennis. "You can rely
upon me, an' that's better."

"It is, indeed," answered the widow.

"I am anxious to do the best I can for myself," resumed Dennis. "I have
just one way of doing it, and that is to do the best I can for others."

"That is real business principle," exclaimed his companion, "and very
rare. What else?"

"I guess that's about all," answered Dennis, "an' it don't sound so very
much, does it?"

"More than you think," answered the widow. "Now listen to me:

"I need such service as I hope from you very much. Would you like to
come and help me here?"

"Oh!" cried Dennis.

"I am answered," responded his companion, "When can you come?"

"At once!" cried Dennis--"or no, wait a bit; that wouldn't be fair to
my present employer. But I can tell him to look out for somebody else
right away; surely he can fill my place within a week. Suppose I say
next Monday?"

"Very well, that will suit," answered the widow; "but you have not asked
me what your salary will be."

Dennis blushed, and his blush was appreciated. To enjoy the genial
inspiration of such an association would be a perquisite which, other
things being only approximately even, would repair any possible
shortage.

"Will twenty dollars a week and your board satisfy you for the present?"

Dennis held his breath and pictured the contrast.

His present employment brought him just ten dollars and the association
of a barkeeper--would it satisfy him? However, he managed to say,
without too great a show of emotion: "It is more than I expected."

"Well, then, that point is settled," said the widow with a brisk
business air, which provided such a sharp contrast to her delightful
womanly qualities and caused Dennis to wonder at