"Lord forbid! Does that information entitle me to any in return?""I don't know; but, whether or no, my name is Rhoda Gale.""Have another plate, Miss Gale?"
"Thanks."
He ordered another.
"I am proud of your confiding your name to me, Miss Gale; but, to tell the truth, what I wanted to know is how a young lady of your talent and education could be so badly off as you must be. It is not impertinent curiosity."The young lady reflected a moment. "Sir," said she, "I don't think it is;and I would not much mind telling you. Of course I studied you before Icame here. Even hunger would not make me sit in a tavern beside a fool, or a snob, or (with a faint blush) a libertine. But to tell one's own story, that is so egotistical, for one thing.
"Oh, it is never egotistical to oblige."
"Now, that is sophistical. Then, again, I am afraid I could not tell it to you without crying, because you seem rather a manly man, and some of it might revolt you, and you might sympathize right out, and then Ishould break down."
"No matter. Do us both good."
"Yes, but before the waiters and people! See how they are staring at us already.""We will have another go in at the beef, and then adjourn to the garden for your narrative.""No: as much garden as you like, but no more beef. I have eaten one sirloin, I reckon. Will you give me one cup of black tea without sugar or milk?"Vizard gave the order.
She seemed to think some explanation necessary, though he did not.
"One cup of tea agrees with my brain and nerves," said she. "It steadies them. That is a matter of individual experience. I should not prescribe it to others any the more for that."Vizard sat wondering at the girl. He said to himself, "What is she? A_lusus naturoe?"_
When the tea came, and she had sipped a little, she perked up wonderfully. Said she, "Oh, the magic effect of food eaten judiciously!