"By the job?" "Let me explain. Say there's a job--that is, a piece of work--wants doing; when that's done there may be an interregnum before more's required." "I see. And--will the secretary be paid by the job?" "Paid by the job?" "Or--by the week--or how?" "That--that reminds me." It seemed to Nora that Mr. Hooper drew in a long breath, as if he desired to lay in a stock in case of emergency. "What honorarium were you thinking of asking, Miss Lindsay?" "I was thinking of asking two guineas a week." She fancied his jaw fell; so she hedged, quickly. "But, of course, if that's too much----" "Not at all; not in the least; practically it's less than I expected." Although he had not the faintest notion where the money was to come from, if it had to come from him, he was thinking that if she proposed to keep herself on two guineas a week it would be some time--slight though his knowledge of such matters was, before she would be able to buy another dress like the one which she had on. "Well, Miss Lindsay, we'll leave it like this; I will think it over and let you know my decision." "Couldn't you decide now? I've found that when people say they'll let me know their decision they mean no. Please--please give me a trial; do let me try. If--if you'll give me a chance I'll--I'll do my very best, so that you--you shan't regret it." Unless he was mistaken, something very much like tears stood in her eyes; they affected him in a way nothing ever had done before; he would have liked to have knocked his head against the wall. "My dear Miss Lindsay, you altogether misunderstand me--entirely misunderstand me; I shall be delighted to offer you the post--delighted." "Mr. Hooper! Do you mean it? Really?" It was worth two guineas a week to see the look which came into her face. "Certainly I mean it." "But--what did you mean when you said you'd let me know your decision?" "I meant my decision with--with reference to--to when your duties are to commence." "Oh! Will it be very long before you want me?" "Emphatically no. As to wanting you, I--I want you immediately. Shall we say----" "To-morrow? If you could let me begin tomorrow!" "Undoubtedly you can begin to-morrow." "At what time?" "Shall we put it--at eleven? or would you prefer to make it twelve?" "Twelve! But Eustace comes at ten." "Yes, Eustace comes at ten; but I don't want to put you to any inconvenience."