"Will your father let me?" "I don't know what you mean." [Pg 111]"I mean that I want to send him to a good school—a good boys' school in the North." [Pg 111] She caught her breath, was silent for a moment, then, amazed: "Would you do that? Oh, I've wished for it—dreamed of it! But—how can you? You are so kind—so good to us—but how could we—accept?" "That's why I want to see your father." "For that! Was it really for that, Mr. Marche?" "Yes—partly." He swallowed and looked the other way, for the girl's excited face was very near his own as she bent forward to search his eyes for the least change of expression—bent nearer as though to reassure herself that he [Pg 112]meant it seriously. For an instant her soft breath made the night air fragrant; he felt it, faint and fresh on his cheek, and turned sharply, biting his lips lest he lose all self-control. [Pg 112] "Could you and your father spare him?" he asked carelessly. "Oh, if you only would give him that chance!" she cried. "But—tell me—how can we accept such a thing of you? Is it possible?" "Would you accept it?" he asked, turning toward her. The question startled her. She looked at him, striving to think clearly, trying to see this offered miracle through calm, impartial eyes. "I—I would do anything—almost—for Jim," she said. "I'd have no pride [Pg 113] left, if his chances lay in the balance. But men—my father—may be different." [Pg 113] He said slowly: "Suppose I offered the same chance to you?" "What!" she said crisply. "Suppose I offered you a college finishing, Miss Herold. Would you accept?"
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