The girl laughed. “You’re all so good to me,” she said.
“Why not?” inquired Madden. “Then it’s settled. We need some one like you around to brighten things up. Ah Kim,” he added, as the Chinese entered, “another place for lunch. In about ten minutes, Miss Wendell.”
He went out. The girl looked at Bob Eden. “Well, that’s that. I knew it would be all right, if only he would see me.”
“Naturally,” said Eden. “Everything in this world would be all right, if every man in it could only see you.”
“Sounds like a compliment,” she smiled.
“Meant to be,” replied the boy. “But what makes it sound so cumbersome? I must brush up on my social chatter.”
“Oh—then it was only chatter?”
“Please—don’t look too closely at what I say. I may tell you I’ve got a lot on my mind just now. I’m trying to be a business man, and it’s some strain.”
“Then you’re not a real business man.”
“Not a real anything. Just sort of drifting. You know, you made me think, last night.”
“I’m proud of that.”
“Now—don’t spoof me. I got to thinking—here you are, earning your living—luxurious pot roasts at the Oasis and all that—while I’m just father’s little boy. I shouldn’t be surprised if you inspired me to turn over a new leaf.”
“Then I shan’t have lived in vain.” She nodded toward the far side of the room. “What in the world is the meaning of that arsenal?”
“Oh—that’s gentle old Madden’s collection of firearms. A hobby
