and $2,500 would allow me to settle these debts and have a balance upon which to 'turn around,' as it were."
All this was jotted down in the notebook, apparently verbatim.
Dr. Harding started to rise. "And, Dr. Harding," I said, "you will understand that I would appreciate having this arrangement start as soon as possible, because it means so much to me in making my plans to have Elizabeth Ann." The doctor's face registered anger. "I most certainly refuse to be hurried in my investigations," he said. I hastened to assure him that I did not wish to hurry him, but on the contrary wished him to take all the time required to establish the truth of my statements, and I myself would do all in my power to aid him, thus perhaps expediting the investigations.
"But I must know whether or not you people wish to do this for Elizabeth Ann," I said, "because there is a man in Washington who has volunteered to attempt to raise such a fund among Mr. Harding's most intimate friends." I am sure the doctor did not mean to betray the alert interest and alarm I so clearly read in his query, "Who is it?" I explained that I was not at liberty at present to divulge the gentleman's identity. Dr. Harding moved toward the door. I rose to follow him downstairs. I do not remember that Dr. Harding thanked me for the interview, but I remember that I thanked him.
We joined his sister and her husband for dinner. Dr. Harding ate hurriedly, saying he had to return to Columbus to attend school exercises in which his daughter was taking part, and bade us goodbye. I thanked him again for coming out in the storm forty-five miles to talk with me and could not help wondering why he seemed to accept this little speech with seeming impatience.
