character?"

"Why--why, yes, something of the sort."

Her eyes twinkled.

"Mr. Bangs," she asked, "do you really think I ought to have 'em?"

Galusha smiled. "For all you know to the contrary," he said, "I may be a
desperate ruffian."

"You don't look desperate. Do you feel that way?"

"Not now, but I did last--ah--evening."

"When you were camped out on that Inn piazza in a pourin' rain, you
mean? I don't blame you for feelin' desperate then.... Well, Mr. Bangs,
suppose we don't worry about the references on either side of this
bargain of ours. I'll take you on trust for the next two or three
days, if you'll take me. And no questions asked, as they say in the
advertisements for stolen property. Will that suit you?"

"Perfectly, except that I think you are taking all the risk. I,
certainly, am not taking any."

"Hum, don't be too sure. You haven't tried much of Primmie's cookin'
yet.... Oh, by the way, what IS your business, Mr. Bangs?"

"I am an archaeologist."