But the lines about his mouth deepened.
One day, early in August, Charley Abbott came to the Secretary's desk.
"Miss Diana Allen would like to see you for a few moments, Mr.
Secretary."
Enoch did not look up. "Ask her to excuse me, Mr. Abbott, I am very
busy."
Charley hesitated for an instant, then went quickly out.
"Luncheon is served, boss," said Jonas, shortly after.
"Is Abbott gone?" asked Enoch.
"Yes, sir! He's took that Miss Allen to lunch, I guess. He's sure
gone on that young lady. How come everybody thinks she's so beautiful,
boss?"
"Because she is beautiful, Jonas, very, very beautiful."
The faithful steward looked keenly at the Secretary. He had not missed
the appearance of a line in the face that was the whole world to him.
"Boss," he said, "don't you ever think you ought to marry?"
Enoch looked up into Jonas' face. "A man with my particular history
had best leave women alone, Jonas."
Jonas' mouth twitched. "They ain't the woman ever born fit to darn
your socks, boss."
Enoch smiled and finished his lunch in silence. He would have given a
month of his life to know what errand had brought Diana to his office.
But Charley Abbott, returning at two o'clock with the complacent look
of a man who has lunched with a beautiful girl, showed no intention of
mentioning the girl's name.
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