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"Yes," said Elizabeth, "if a hundred dollars would be of any use to you--" Harriet
laid a hand quickly on her friend's arm.
"I wasn't thinking of money," she said to Jimmy. "One can't pay for things like
that with money, but we know so many people here we might help you in some
way, if you are not entirely satisfied with your present position."
Out of the corner of his eye Jimmy could not help but note that Elizabeth was
appraising him critically from head to foot and he felt that he could almost read
what was passing through her mind as she took stock of his cheap cotton
uniform and his cap, with the badge of his employer above the vizor. Involuntarily
Jimmy straightened his shoulders and raised his chin a trifle.
"No, thank you," he said to Harriet, "it is kind of you, but really I am perfectly
satisfied with my present job. It is by far the best one I have ever held," and
touching his cap, he continued his interrupted way to his wagon.
"
What a strange young man," exclaimed Harriet. "He is like many of his class,"
replied Elizabeth, "probably entirely without ambition and with no desire to work
any too hard or to assume additional responsibilities."
"I don't believe it," retorted Harriet. "Unless I am greatly mistaken, that man is a
gentleman. Everything about him indicates it; his inflection even is that of a well-
bred man."
"
How utterly silly," exclaimed Elizabeth. "You've heard him speak scarcely a
dozen words. I venture to say that in a fifteen-minute conversation he would
commit more horrible crimes against the king's English than even that new
stable-boy of yours. Really, Harriet, you seem very much interested in this
person."
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