She sat down, with what seemed to him almost awful calmness; but she was all tremblement within, a maze of conflicting emotions, for already it was clear to her that this was quite a singular young man; only she was able to exhibit more outward self-control than he was. When she saw that he showed no immediate disposition to touch on the subject on which she had come, but seemed to be able to do nothing but fidget, she began on the theme herself. "Eustace tells me that he mentioned to you that I am looking for a post as secretary." "Eustace? Oh, you mean King Solomon--that is, young Gibb. Young Gibb's a curious boy." "Curious? I think he's delightful." "Delightful? Yes, so--so he is; a--a most valuable acquisition for a man like me." "Do you yourself require a secretary, Mr. Hooper. "Do I--require a secretary--myself? I--I--the fact is----" A wild idea was germinating in the erratic young gentleman's brain. "What are your qualifications, Miss Lindsay?" "I can work a typewriter." "Can you? That's splendid." "At least I could about twelve months ago, and I dare say I could again, after a little practice." "Of course you could; not a doubt of it. And--and can you write shorthand?" "No, I can't write shorthand; is that indispensable?" "No, not--not indispensable." "I can speak and write French, and I know some German." "Those--those are decidedly advantages." "And I write a very clear hand; I don't think any one would have any difficulty in reading what I write; I will show you a specimen if you like." "There's--there's not the slightest necessity; not the least; I feel sure you write a clear hand. And--when are you disengaged?" "At once; I should like to begin as soon as I possibly could; I am very anxious to begin." Something which she fancied she saw on his face seemed to trouble her. "Isn't the secretary wanted at once?" "Well, the fact is, it's this way----" "I could come for a week on trial, so that you might see if I suited." The idea of this divine creature coming to his chambers, day after day, for a whole week, made his brain whirl round. "I'm sure you'd suit; I--I've not the slightest doubt about that." "You can't be quite sure; but I'd try to please you." "I--I--I----" He was about to remark that there was not the slightest necessity for her to try, since she could not help but please him, whether she tried or not, when a sudden fear came to him that his remark might be misconstrued; so he pulled himself up in time. "The remark I was about to make is, since--since I desire to be quite plain, in order that we may not commence with--with a misunderstanding; what it is I wish to point out is that the post may be of a purely temporary nature." "That doesn't matter; it would be something; and that's better than nothing. How long would it be likely to last?" "That's--that's not easy to determine; the fact is it's really a jobbing secretary that's wanted." "What is a jobbing secretary?" "One who works by the job."