Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/74

‘Not so fast, my young friend,’ said Mrs. Gird, laughing; then she continued seriously; ‘I believe in a man having the courage to avow himself and take his chance; but I should like you to have a good chance, both for your sake and for hers.’

‘Thank you for that.’

‘Well, I do not think 1t would be at all a bad thing for Eve; but I do not know if you accepted Sandy’s offer that you would be in the best position to induce her to think so.’

‘I thought you said———’

‘I said, or I meant, that there was nothing in the fact of your being employed on the station that need cause you to hesitate, but that’s not saying that a position of dependence on a girl’s father is a good one from which to woo her.’

‘Then perhaps I had better not accept.’

Mrs. Gird sat looking absently at him, and it was some time before her reply came. Then she said: ‘After all, the position is nothing; everything depends on whether you are the right man. Yes, that is the answer to the riddle. If I were you I should go. But, Geoffrey, let me tell you of two faults you possess: you are too unpractical in money matters, and you have no self-confidence. Why have you no self-confidence?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Geoffrey, knitting his brows; ‘I have and I haven’t.’

‘Well, at any rate try and be practical. Make a start with Sandy. Whatever wages he offers you, ask ten shillings a week more.’

‘I couldn’t do that,’ Geoffrey said slowly. ‘If I thought he would refuse me or argue the matter it would be all right, but he would say yes at once.’