"
"Yes, but if one cannot keep a quiet mind; if one is anxious and
excited, and----"
"In love," he finished, as I hesitated.
"Well, no; I did not mean that," I said; "though, of course, that might
enter into the case also. Suppose one is uneasy about a certain amount
of money, for instance?"
"Are you?" he asked, ignoring the general suggestiveness of my remark.
"Well, yes; I want to make some if I can."
"Don't want, then," he advised. "Take my word for it, no amount of money
is worth the loss of a night's rest; and you have been tossing about all
night, I can see. Come, Patterson, if it's forgery or embezzlement, out
with it, man, and I will help you if I am able."
"If it were either one or the other, I should go to Mr. Craven," I
answered, laughing.
"Then it must be love," remarked my host; "and you will want to take me
into your confidence some day. The old story, I suppose: beautiful girl,
stern parents, wealthy suitor, poor lover. I wonder if we could interest
her in a case of small-pox. If she took it badly, you might have a
chance; but I have a presentiment that she has been vaccinated."
"Ned," was my protest, "I shall certainly fling a plate at your head."
"All right, if you think the exertion would do you good," he answered.
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