"
Diana laughed. "You speak, sir, as if I needed some vast fund. It
costs a dollar a day in the desert to keep a horse and another dollar
to keep a man. Camera plates and clothing--why a hundred dollars a
month would be luxury! And I don't need help, truly I don't! The mere
fact of your interest is help enough for me."
"A hundred dollars a month for your expenses," said the President,
making a memorandum in his notebook, "and what is your time worth?"
"My time? You mean what would I charge somebody for doing this work?
Why, Mr. President, this is not a job! It's an avocation! I wouldn't
take money for it. It's a labor of love."
The chief executive suddenly rose and Diana, rising too, was surprised
at the look that suddenly burned in the hawk-like eyes.
"You are an unusual woman, Miss Allen! Your angle on life is one
seldom found in Washington." He took a restless turn up and down the
room, glanced at Enoch, who stood beside the desk, utterly absorbed in
contemplation of Diana's protesting eyes, then said, "This friend of
mine is a disappointed man. He had believed that in amassing a great
fortune he would find satisfaction. He has found that money of itself
is dust and ashes and it is too late for him to take up a new work.
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