"
"Every one warns me that it's hard work, but I don't believe it can be
so terrible. Somebody has to do it. Of course college positions are more
dignified and likely to be better paid."
He started to speak and hesitated.
"Well," she laughed. "You were going to add your warning, weren't you!
I'm used to them."
"No; nothing of the sort; I was going to take the liberty of saying that
if you cared to have me I should be glad to see whether our state
university might not have something for you. I have friends and
acquaintances who could help there."
"Oh, you are very kind! It is very good of you to offer to do that;
but--"
A slight embarrassment was manifest in the quick opening and closing of
her eyes, a slight turning of the head, but she smiled pleasantly,
happily. He liked her way of smiling, and smiled himself. He found it
agreeable to be talking to this young woman with the fine, candid eyes,
whose manner was so assured--without assurance! She smoothed the black
gloves in her lap quietly; they were capable hands; her whole appearance
and manner somehow betokened competence.
"The fact is, Mr. Bassett, that I have declined one or two college
positions. My own college offered to take me in; and I believe there
were one or two other chances. But it is kind of you to offer to help
me."
She had minimized the importance of the offers she had declined so that
he might not feel the meagreness of his proffered help; and he liked her
way of doing it; but it was incredible that a young woman should decline
an advantageous and promising position to accept a minor one.
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