Partners by Grace Livingston Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

comin' back up the stairs with ya? I thought I'd find him up in his room, but I listened and he don't seem to be there."
    "Oh, was that Mr. Rand? I didn't know," said Dale indifferently. "He was coming out just as I was coming in, and I was having a little trouble with some of my packages. The bag broke on some fruit I was carrying, and he very kindly helped me to gather it up, and insisted on carrying it the rest of the way up. But I think he went right down again. I didn't notice. I came into my room. It was very kind of him."
    "Then you'd met him?"
    "Met him? Oh, no. I didn't even know who he was. But he certainly was very polite."
    "Well, I've noticed you girls all have your clever tricks of gettin' acquainted," said Mrs. Beck with an unpleasant grin that sat unkindly upon her shrewd bony countenance.
    An angry flash came into Dale's eyes, but she turned away and lifted her chin haughtily.
    "There's going to be a gorgeous sunset," she said irreverently. "I'm wondering if that stove is going to be enough to keep this room comfortable when really cold weather begins."
    Mrs. Beck bristled at once.
    "Nobody's ever complained that this room wasn't comfortable, even in really zero weather," she said sharply.
    "Oh, is that so? That sounds hopeful. I shouldn't wonder if we're due for some pretty cold weather the next few weeks. The sky tonight, though it's beautiful, looks almost threatening. I wouldn't be surprised to see snow before morning."
    "Oh, no," said Mrs. Beck decidedly. "No snow this month. We always have such lovely falls in this region. Say, why don't ya go down and visit those girls along your hall? They was speakin' of you this mornin'. Lily said they was havin' a good game of cards down in the parlor, and she said they wouldn't feel bad if you wanted to get in on it. You can consider that an invitation. I know they'll be glad ta see ya."
    "Well, thank you. That is kind of them, but, you see, I have some work that I must do tonight. And besides, I don't play cards. I'm afraid I wouldn't be very welcome even if they did invite me."
    "Oh, they'd teach ya. They've taught several young men. I know ya'd have a good time. They always go out for a beer, or ice cream, or somethin' at the end. Dutch treat, ya know. They're an awful jolly lot, and I'm sure ya'd fit in with 'em real good if ya'd only come and try it."
    "Well, I do appreciate their interest, Mrs. Beck, but I really haven't time for such things, and I'm sure you would find I didn't fit. You see, I'm a very busy person and can't take time for play very often. Not that kind of play. I have a great deal of reading I want to do, and I must get to sleep early. Please tell them thank you for me, and say I can't spare the time."
    "Well, ya're makin' a great mistake, that's all I've got ta say," said Mrs. Beck with a sniff. "It don't pay to be all work an' no play. Ya'd oughtta learn ta play cards and drink beer, and be a jolly good fella. Ya can't expect to get jobs and keep 'em if ya can't get on with other girls in your class and age. It ain't natural. Well, don't blame me if ya break down an' get sick an' hafta be took off ta the hospital."
    "Oh, no, Mrs. Beck. I won't blame you!" laughed Dale as Mrs. Beck arose haughtily and left the room, slamming the roomer's door just the least little bit.
    But then almost immediately she opened it again a narrow crack and added: "An' don't flatter yerself that yer gonta curry favor with that stuck-up newspaperman, breakin' her fruit bags all over the place till he has ta take pity on ya and carry 'em up fer ya! That don't mean a thing with him. He don't take ta no ladies at all. He's all fer hisself an' no mistake!"
    This time the door was shut finally and firmly, and presently Dale ventured to lock it and sit down for a good hearty laugh.

Chapter 4
    The new job went well, and Dale was contented in it. Only that from the first it was evident that the former secretary was the real one who owned that job, and Dale was considered