“Don’t be too sure of that! Bear in mind that some situations may not suit you, that you may not suit them, and be thrown out of employment.” “That’s true; it has happened to me twice already--the Army and the ranch--and I’ve no luck.” “What do you mean, Owen?” “I mean that nothing comes _my_ way; other chaps get all they want in big things, or little. Don’t you know the sort that fall across people they wish to meet, that get the best corners at a shoot, the best hands at cards, that win big sweepstakes and lotteries, come in for fine legacies, and, at a good old age, die very comfortably in their beds?” His sister nodded. “I have one peculiarity. I can’t call it gift, and it’s of no earthly value. I only wish it was marketable; I’d pass it on like a shot.” “What is it--second sight?” “No, that’s all bosh! It’s--it’s--I don’t know how to put it--the being on the spot when out-of-the-way affairs come off,--sensational things, accidents, discoveries, deaths. They seem to drop into my day’s work in an extraordinary way; sometimes I begin to think I’ve got the Evil Eye!” “Now _that’s_ nonsense if you like! You have knocked about a good deal for the last seven years, and naturally seen far more than people at home.” “Well, anyhow, I wish this queer sort of fate would change, and shove me towards something different--a good post.” “And you believe you’d keep it?” “Anyway, I’d do my little best. My three weeks as steward were a breaking-in.” “But you were acting all the time, Owen--you know you love it! and you realised that there was a limit to the experience?” “No, honour bright, I wasn’t playing the fool. I am quick and ready, and not afraid of work. I say, look here,” and he took his hands out of his pockets and held them up, the palms towards her. “Oh, oh, my poor dear boy! they are like--like--leather! Like a working man’s, only clean!” “Well, I never was a kid-glove chap, and the reins have hardly been out of them for twelve months. I’m fairly good with my hands, although an awful duffer with my head.” “Just the opposite to me,” declared his sister; “I can scarcely sew a button on, and I can’t do up a parcel or tie a knot. But to return to our business. Once you have a certificate, the next thing will be to find you a situation. You had better begin in some very quiet country place--a long way from Town and talk--and I will recommend you.” “_You!_” and he burst into a loud laugh. “Oh yes, you may laugh; but who else is there? We do not wish to invite the world into our family laundry.” “Thank you, Leila.” “Don’t be silly! I will give you an excellent character,” she continued imperturbably, “as a sober, respectable young man, most careful, obliging, and anxious to please.” “Well, that sounds all right.” “And you must really be, as the French advertisements say, ‘_un chauffeur sérieux_,’ and promise not to play the fool, and I shall get you a nice situation that I happen to know of, with two old ladies.”