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"I'm not sure that it can't be helped," said I

She looked atto make a proposition, and I shall ask you to consider it with an open mind"

"That sounds rather portentous," said she; "but I promise What is it?"

"It is this: When I was a student I acquired the useful art of writing shorthand I a reporter, you understand, but I can take matter down from dictation at quite respectable speed"

"Yes"

"Well, I have several hours free every day--usually, the whole of the afternoon up to six or half-past--and it occurs to s you could get out your books, look up passages (you could do that without using your right hand), and put in book- in the afternoon and you could read out the selected passages to et through as hand"

"Oh, but how kind of you, Doctor Berkeley!" she exclai up all your leisure in that way; but I do appreciate your kindness very much"

I was rather chapfallen at this very definite refusal, but persisted feebly: "I wish you would It er like me to make such a proposal to a lady; but if you'd been a man--in these special circumstances--I should have made it all the same, and you would have accepted as a matter of course"

"I doubt that At any rate, I am not a man I sometimes wish I were"

"Oh, I am sure you are much better as you are!" I exclaihed And at this e and evidently brand-new books in a strap

"Well, I's on Doctor and patient giggling like a pair of schoolgirls! What's the joke?"

He thumped his parcel of books down on the table and listened sly while my unconscious witticisht," he said "You'll do as you are, chick; but the Lord knohat sort of man you wouldhienial frame of mind, I ventured to explain my proposition to him and to enlist his support He considered it with attentive approval, and when I had finished turned to his daughter