“Oh, not at all,” he assured her, stepping to leeward and producing a cigar.  “I have had some stirrings of late.  And please don’t think me an incorrigible idler.  I spent nearly two years in a down-town office and earned—­well, say half my salary.  In fact, my business instincts were so strong that I left college after my second year for that purpose, but seeing no special chance of advancement in the race for wealth, and as my father seemed rather to welcome the idea, I broke off and went over to Germany.  I haven’t been quite idle, though I should be puzzled, I admit, to find a market for what I have to offer to the world.  Would you be interested in a schedule of my accomplishments.”

“Oh,” she said, “I should be charmed, but as I am every moment expecting the advent of my family, and as I am relied upon to locate them and tuck them up, I’m afraid I shall not have time to hear it.”

“No,” he said, laughing, “it’s quite too long.”

She was silent for some moments, gazing down into the water, apparently debating something in her mind, and quite unconscious of John’s scrutiny.  Finally she turned to him with a little laugh.  “You might begin on your list, and if I am called away you can finish it at another time.”

“I hope you didn’t think I was speaking in earnest,” he said.

“No,” she replied, “I did not think you really intended to unpack your wares, but, speaking seriously—­and at the risk, I fear, that you may think me rather ‘cheeky,’ if I may be allowed that expression—­I know a good many men in America, and I think that without an exception they are professional men or business men, or, being neither—­and I know but few such—­have a competence or more; and I was wondering just now after what you told me what a man like you would or could do if he were thrown upon his own resources.  I’m afraid that is rather frank for the acquaintance of a day, isn’t it?” she asked with a slight flush, “but it really is not so personal as it may sound to you.”

“My dear Miss Blake,” he replied, “our acquaintance goes back at least ten years.  Please let that fact count for something in your mind.  The truth is, I have done some wondering along that same line myself without coming to any satisfactory conclusion.  I devoutly hope I may not be so thrown absolutely, for the truth is I haven’t a marketable commodity.  ’A little Latin, and less Greek,’ German and French enough to read and understand and talk—­on the surface of things—­and what mathematics, history, et cetera, I have not forgotten.  I know the piano well enough to read and play an accompaniment after a fashion, and I have had some good teaching for the voice, and some experience in singing, at home and abroad.  In fact, I come nearer to a market there, I think, than in any other direction perhaps.  I have given some time to fencing in various schools, and before I left home Billy Williams would sometimes speak encouragingly of my progress with the gloves.  There!  That is my list, and not a dollar in it from beginning to end, I’m afraid.”