``No, forty for two years. We can't pay more. We're just
starting, and expenses must be kept down.''

``Well, forty then. You are nice people--hard workers. I want
to see you get on.'' The philanthropic old man returned to his
sweeping. ``Always the way, dealing with a woman,'' he growled
into his beard. ``They don't know the value of anything. Well,
I'll get my money anyway, and that's a point.''

She spent the day shopping and by half-past five had her
arrangements almost completed. And she told every one about the
coming marriage and the new shop and asked them to spread the
news.

``We'll be open for business next Saturday a week,'' she said.
``Give us a trial.''

By nightfall Otto was receiving congratulations. He protested,
denied, but people only smiled and winked. ``You're not so sly
as you think,'' they said. ``No doubt she promised to keep it
quiet, but you know how it is with a woman.''

When he called at Brauner's at seven he was timid about going in.
``They've heard the story,'' he said to himself, ``and they must
think I went crazy and told it.''

She had been bold enough all day, but she was shy, now that the
time had come to face him and confess--she had been a little shy
with him underneath ever since she had suddenly awakened to the