the other hand,’ she added with lowered voice, ’he is so accustomed to take advantage of strangers that it’s quite possible he wouldn’t treat friends any better.  You must have somebody at your side who has your interests at heart.’  I pointed to her.  ’I am honest,’ she said, laying her hand upon her heart.  Her eyes, which were ordinarily of a greyish hue, shone bright blue, the blue of the sky.  ’But I’m in a peculiar position.  Our business yields little profit, and so my father intends to set himself up as an innkeeper.  Now that’s no place for me, and nothing remains for me, therefore, but needlework, for I will not go out as a servant.’  As she said this she looked like a queen.  ‘As a matter of fact I’ve had another offer,’ she continued, drawing a letter from her apron and throwing it half reluctantly upon the counter.  ‘But in that case I should be obliged to leave the city.’  ‘Would you have to go far away?’ I asked.  ’Why?  What difference would that make to you?’ I told her I should move to the same place.  ’You’re a child,’ she said.  ’That wouldn’t do at all, and there are quite different matters to be considered.  But if you have confidence in me and like to be near me, buy the millinery store next door, which is for sale.  I understand the business, and you can count on a reasonable profit on your investment.  Besides, keeping the books and attending to the correspondence would supply you with a proper occupation.  What might develop later on, we’ll not discuss at present.  But you would have to change, for I hate effeminate men.’  I had jumped up and seized my hat.  ‘What’s the matter?  Where are you going?’ she asked.  ’To countermand everything!’ I said breathlessly.  ‘Countermand what?’ I then told her of my plan for the establishment of a copying and information bureau.  ‘There isn’t much in that,’ she suggested.  ’Information anybody can get for himself, and everybody has learned to write in school.’  I remarked that music was also to be copied, which was something that not everybody could do.  ‘So you’re back at your old nonsense?’ she burst out.  ’Let your music go, and think of more important matters.  Besides, you’re not able to manage a business yourself.’  I explained that I had found a partner.  ‘A partner?’ she exclaimed.  ’You’ll surely be cheated.  I hope you haven’t advanced any money?’ I was trembling without knowing why.  ‘Did you advance any money?’ she asked once more.  I admitted that I had advanced the three thousand gulden for the initial equipment.  ’Three thousand gulden!’ she exclaimed; ‘as much as that?’ ‘The rest,’ I continued, ‘is deposited with the court, and that’s safe at all events.’  ‘What, still more?’ she screamed.  I mentioned the amount of the bond.  ‘And did you pay it over to the court personally?’ ‘My partner paid it.’  ‘But you have a receipt for it.’  ‘I haven’t.’  ’And what is the name of your fine partner?’ she asked.  It was a relief to be able to mention my father’s secretary.