you will be the better for it."

"I do hope the cook will prove to be unmarried," he mused.
"Imagine having to do away with a husband who can handle a
cleaver."

"Oh, I don't mean you should necessarily marry the woman. It would
be quite as good for you if she refused even to look at you.
However, let us hope that you meet some nice American girl--"

"Why not a senorita? You have inspired me with Spanish romance."

But Mrs. Cortlandt shook her head. "Wait until you have seen
them."

"Already I imagine myself under some moonlit balcony teasing
chords out of a guitar. I have rather a good singing voice, you
know."

It is not done that way nowadays. Panama is Americanized. You will
need a pianola and an automobile."

"And all the romance is gone?"

"Oh, there is romance everywhere; there is quite as much in
Pittsburg as in Andalusia. But to speak of more practical things"--
Mrs. Cortlandt hesitated slightly--"I heard you tell the purser
the other day about your financial troubles, and it occurred to me
that Mr. Cortlandt might assist you."