Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/46

34 "It's always risky in any trade," said he, "and still riskier when you haven't any trade at all." And his face darkened a little. He set down his half-emptied glass and looked at me curiously.

"Now that you've met Edith," said he, "don't you see what I meant when I said that she was not like most women?"

"Yes; I see."

"And you don't feel the same way about taking help from her?"

"No," said I; "I'd take help from her just as I'd take it from God."

He raised his eyebrows a little.

"You believe in God?" he asked.

"Most people who carry their lives in their hands believe in God," I answered. "But the trouble is, my kind don't feel as if they had any great reason for loving Him."

John nodded, took another swallow, then gave me a quick, curious look.

"Did you notice the girl who was posing?" he asked.

"Yes. She is very beautiful."

"She is a Miss Dalghren," said John. "Her father was a promoter and made a big fortune in different schemes; mines principally. Then he took to stock gambling and lost it all and died bankrupt—just as our father did. All that she got after the smash were those pearls she was wearing, a magnificent string that she had from her mother. She gives music lessons here in Paris."

"Singing?"