"Oh no, I had two other jobs before that."
"For--for sassing back?" he asked, smiling.
He grew serious. "Hadn't you better be careful?"
"I can't help it. I hate him. I hate Germans. My 'parents' were German an'--"
"But you don't want to be forced to run about New York again, do you?"
Erna was about to break out, thinking of Jimmy, "I won't have to," but substituted staring at Nielsen. He was so fine, so human, so--
"Never mind, Erna! Let's talk of something more cheerful." Suddenly, it was his turn to look thoughtful. Before he was aware of himself, he commenced: "Erna!"
"I mean in case you should ever lose your job--"
He had spoken in a more earnest tone than was his custom. Erna looked quantities of gratitude. "Do you mean--"
"Yes," he forestalled her. "I'm a man, Erna, or a part o' one. I know you're a good sport, I've seen so much evidence of it. In fact, you're as good and probably a better sport than I am"--all this with a return to banter--"so it's up to me, if you ever need assistance."
Presently, he came back to the whimsical. "We're a funeral party, aren't we?"
"Well, we can start a partnership as funeral directors to bury the past, can't we?"
Nielsen laughed, and she followed his example.
"Nothing downs you long. You're such a happy Indian that you're able to run your world."
"Yes. It takes happy people to run the world, you know."
"Certainly. That's my humble belief anyhow. Dost believe in philosophy?"
"You're right," he applauded. "It's only a pastime for lemon natures. Stick to your joy, Erna!"
Erna was indulging in more abstract matters than she had ever attempted, for she said: "I can't help it, I suppose. I love joy and happy people. An' fresh air, strength, freedom." But it was Nielsen's fault, he used such a subtle method of probing her.
"That'll do, Erna," he interrupted. "You have spoken. There is nothing to be added to fresh air, the breeder of strength, the breeder of freedom. This ought to be enough philosophy for one day, eh? We'll have headaches soon, won't we?"
"Not me!" she denied, and he laughed and added: "Then I'll close the sermon with a little text, if I may."
"Whatever happens," he bantered her; "stick to your freedom with your last dying breath!"
The evening developed even further intimacy. And Erna soon came to realize that she had discovered her new sensation. As for Nielsen, he was spending an unusual evening too. Several times, he thought of Jimmy Allen and his connection with Erna. He was a splendid joyous animal like her. It did not surprise him that he had been restored to her favor, they were so well mated. And he recalled the short but significant scene he had spoiled that morning.