"I am not afraid of anything I can see; but I do not like the dark; I
do not like mysteries."

"You're the bravest girl I know, Laura," her father declared. "Now,
Mr. Breitmann, if you don't mind."

"Shall we begin at once, sir?"

"You will copy some of my notes, to begin with. Any time you're in
doubt over a word, speak to me. There will not be much outside of
manuscript work. Most of my mail is sorted at my bankers, and only
important letters forwarded. There may be a social note occasionally.
Do you read and write English as well as you speak it?"

"Oh, yes."

Laura invited Fitzgerald to the tennis court.

"In these shoes?" he protested.

"They will not matter; it is a cement court."

"But I shan't look the game. Tennis without flannels is like duck
without apples."

"Bother! We'll play till the mason comes up. And mind your game.
I've been runner-up in a dozen tournaments."

And he soon found that she had not overrated her skill. She served
strongly, volleyed beautifully, and darted across the court with a