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"The very thing! I advertised in this 's Ti the truth," she said, looking at him with eyes

that danced "I read all the advertise, and I am quite sure that you did not advertise"

"I ently "I had the idea last night;

that's the very piece of paper I riting the advertisement on"

He pointed to a sheet upon the pad

"A secretary? The very thing! Let me think"

He supported his chin upon one hand, his elbow upon another

"You ant paper, pens, and ink--we have all those," he said

"There is a large supply in that cupboard Also india-rubber I am

not sure if we have any india-rubber, but that can be procured And a

ruler," he said, "for drawing straight lines and all that sort of

thing"

"And a typewriter?" she suggested

Bones smacked his forehead with unnecessary violence

"A typewriter! I knew this office wanted so I said to Ali

yesterday: 'You silly old ass----'"

"Oh, you have a girl?" she said disappointedly

"Ali," said Bones, "is the name of a native man person who is devoted

to me, body and soul He has been, so to speak, in the family for

years," he explained

"Oh, it's a man," she said

Bones nodded

"Ali Spelt A-l-y; it's Arabic"