"I don't know what I'd do without you, Fancy. We've been through a good
deal together, first and last, haven't we?"
"Yes, we've had a good time. I'd like to do it all over again."
"Heavens, no!" he exclaimed. "I wouldn't! There's enough ahead. From
what I've seen of life, things don't really begin to happen till you're
thirty, at least. All this will seem like a dream."
"Sometimes I hope it will." Fancy was looking away, now. Her gaze
returned to him after a moment of silence. "Don't you ever think of
getting out of this, Frank? You're too good for these fakirs, really
you are! Why, you could mix with millionaires, easy! And you've got a
good start, now. They like you. You've got the style and the education
and the 'know' for it."
He went back to the fireplace, standing there with his hands behind his
back.
"Oh, this is amusing enough. What does it matter, anyway? There are as
big fools and shams in society as there are in my business. Look at the
women that come down here, and the things they tell me! Why, I know
them a good deal better now than I should if I were on their
calling-lists and took tea with them! But you are right, in a way. I
suppose some day I must quit this and take to honest theft."
"Don't say that, Frank! I hate you when you're cynical."
"What else can I be, in my profession?"
"Oh, I do want you to quit, Frank, really I do, and yet, I hate to think
of it. What should I do? I'd lose you sure! I could never make good
with the swells. I'm only a drifter."
"Oh, you can't lose me, Fan; we've pulled together too long. You could
make good all right. You've got a pose and a poise that some ladies
would give their teeth for. I don't believe you've ever really been
surprised in your life, have you?"
"I guess not." Fancy shook her head thoughtfully. "When I _am_
surprised, it'll be a woman who'll do it. No man can, that's sure."
"No. I fancy you know all there is to know about men. I wish I did.
You'll do, Fancy Gray!" He approached her and playfully chucked her
under the chin. Then he looked at her gravely. "I wonder why you're
willing to drudge along here with me, anyway. You could get a much
better position easily--with your face--and brains."
"_And_ figure. Don't forget that!" Fancy shook her finger at him.
"Yes." He looked her over approvingly.
"No woman ought to be blue with a figure like mine, ought she?"