"Ah," said Ralph jocosely, "after all, they're human beings."

"Are there any women among them?" Miss Stackpole desired to know.

"You speak as if I had a dozen! No, I confess I haven't a
soubrette in my employment."

"Well," said Henrietta calmly, "you can't go to England that way.
You must have a woman's care."

"I've had so much of yours for the past fortnight that it will
last me a good while."

"You've not had enough of it yet. I guess I'll go with you," said
Henrietta.

"Go with me?" Ralph slowly raised himself from his sofa.

"Yes, I know you don't like me, but I'll go with you all the
same. It would be better for your health to lie down again."

Ralph looked at her a little; then he slowly relapsed. "I like
you very much," he said in a moment.

Miss Stackpole gave one of her infrequent laughs. "You needn't
think that by saying that you can buy me off. I'll go with you,
and what is more I'll take care of you."

"You're a very good woman," said Ralph.