"You will be in Chicago some little time, won't you?" he observed at one turn of the now easy conversation.
"I don't know," said Carrie vaguely--a flash vision of the possibility of her not securing employment rising in her mind.
"Several weeks, anyhow," he said, looking steadily into her eyes.
There was much more passing now than the mere words indicated.
He recognised the indescribable thing that made up for fascination and beauty in her.She realised that she was of interest to him from the one standpoint which a woman both delights in and fears.Her manner was simple, though for the very reason that she had not yet learned the many little affectations with which women conceal their true feelings.Some things she did appeared bold.A clever companion--had she ever had one--
would have warned her never to look a man in the eyes so steadily.
"Why do you ask?" she said.
"Well, I'm going to be there several weeks.I'm going to study stock at our place and get new samples.I might show you 'round."
"I don't know whether you can or not.I mean I don't know whether I can.I shall be living with my sister, and----"
"Well, if she minds, we'll fix that." He took out his pencil and a little pocket note-book as if it were all settled."What is your address there?"
She fumbled her purse which contained the address slip.