"Mr. Cortlandt is very busy; I have no one to talk to; no
one to amuse me. Why, I've scarcely seen you since you went to
work."
"It is flattering to be missed."
"Will you come to the dance to-morrow night?"
He shook his head.
"The music is good; you will meet some nice people. If you
remember, one of your qualifications for a position was that you
are a good waltzer."
"I can't mingle with the 'quality.'"
"Be sensible. This is an invitation."
"I am getting sensible fast. I've learned something about Canal
conditions. What would people say if Mrs. Stephen Cortlandt were
seen dancing with the new collector of No. 2?"
"My dear boy, do you suppose Mrs. Stephen Cortlandt cares what
these people say?"
"Mr. Stephen Cortlandt might."
"Mr. Stephen Cortlandt isn't snobbish, either."
"One has to be on the Canal Zone. Besides, to tell the sordid
truth, I haven't any clothes."
Edith silently extended the envelope in her hand; but he laughed.
"Perhaps I'll come to the next dance. I'll be rich then. See!" He
showed her a long slip of paper consisting of five coupons, each
numbered "8838."
"Lottery tickets!"
He nodded. "Allan had a very particular dream about the number
eight, so I invested five dollars 'silver' on his hunch.
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