"I can't understand why you live in that way."

"How should I make friends--among men? Why, it's harder than
making money--which I have never done yet, and never shall, I'm
afraid."

Eve averted her eyes, and again seemed to meditate.

"I'll tell you," pursued the young man "how the money came to me
that I am living on now. It'll fill up the few moments while we are
waiting."

He made of it an entertaining narrative, which he concluded just as
the soup was laid before them. Eve listened with frank curiosity,
with an amused smile. Then came a lull in the conversation. Hilliard
began his dinner with appetite and gusto; the girl, after a few
sips, neglected her soup and glanced about the neighboring tables.

"In my position," said Hilliard at length, "what would you have
done?"

"It's a difficult thing to put myself in your position."

"Is it, really? Why, then, I will tell you something more of myself.
You say that Mrs. Brewer gave me an excellent character?"

"I certainly shouldn't have known you from her description."

Hilliard laughed.