"That will be better, perhaps, than seeking a situation in the city." "I should like to be here on account of Ruth," he said, wistfully. She smiled and shook her head. "There's nothing for me to do in the country," she said. "I might find something for you to do," he said, eagerly. Then I saw how it was, and felt inclined to help him. "Do you like Macy's so well, then?" I asked. "I don't know," she answered, thoughtfully, "I like to feel that I am earning my living." "You wouldn't need," commenced Stephen, but she checked him by a look. "You might not like to part with the Professor," said I, mischievously. Stephen took instant alarm. "What Professor?" he asked. "Professor Poppendorf. He is a German, a very learned man." "And what have you got to do with the Professor, Ruth?" he asked, jealously. "Oh, you foolish boy!" she said. "You ought to see him." "I don't want to see him." "He is an old gentleman, most seventy, and wears green glasses." Stephen looked relieved. "By the way, did you have a pleasant evening with the Professor at the theatre the other evening, Miss Canby?" It was very reprehensible of me, I know, but I felt a little mischievous. "Did you go to the theatre with him, Ruth?" asked Stephen, reproachfully. "Yes, I am so fond of the theatre, you know, I could not resist the temptation." "What did you see?" "I went to see Crane in the Senator. Where do you think we sat?" and she laughed. "I don't know." "In the upper gallery. The idea of asking a lady to sit in the top of the house!" "The Professor is a German, and all Germans are frugal. I presume he thought you would be perfectly satisfied. Did the Professor appear to enjoy the play?" "Very much. He did not always understand it, and asked me to explain it to him. Now and then he burst into such a loud laugh that I felt quite ashamed. Then I was glad that we were in the top gallery." "When the play was over did he invite you to take an ice-cream at Delmonico's or Maillard's?" "No, but he invited me into a saloon to take a glass of lager." Here she laughed again. "Evidently the Professor is not a ladies' man. Did you accept the beer?" "As if I would!" "Poor man! you deprived him of a pleasure." "No, I did not. He left me on the sidewalk while he went in and took his beer." "I hope you won't go to the theatre with him again," said Stephen, in a tone of dissatisfaction. "You can rest quite easy, Stephen, I won't." "What made him ask you to go?" "You will have to ask him, Stephen. If you will come round to supper this evening, I will introduce you to him. There will be plenty of room, as some of our boarders are always away on Sunday." Stephen felt a little bashful at first, but finally yielded to persuasion and took his place at the table in the seat of the Disagreeable Woman.