"The need for money comes afterwards," he explained. "We want to
drain and plan and build without mortgages. As soon as we are
sure of the site, one can think of that. My option only extends
for a week or so."
"Do you really think that it is a good speculation?" she asked.
"I do not think about such matters," he answered, drily. "I
know."
She leaned back in her chair, watching him for several seconds -
admiring him, as a matter of fact. The profound conviction of
his words was almost inspiring. In her presence, and she knew
that she was a very beautiful woman, he appeared, notwithstanding
his absence of any knowledge of her sex and his lack of social
status, unmoved, wholly undisturbed. He sat there in perfect
naturalness. It did not seem to him even unaccountable that she
should be interested in his concerns. He was not conceited or
aggressive in any way. His complete self-confidence lacked any
militant impulse. He was-- himself, impervious to surroundings,
however unusual.
"Why should I not be your capitalist?" she inquired slowly.
"Have you as much as twelve thousand pounds that you want to
invest?" he asked, incredulously.
She rose to her feet and moved across to her desk. He sat quite
still, watching her without any apparent curiosity. She unlocked
a drawer and returned to him with a bankbook in her hand.
"Add that up," she directed, "and tell me how much I have."
He drew a lead pencil from his pocket and quickly added up the
total.
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