The Misadventures of Marjory

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: …Durbin?
Well, my reason for cautioning you is this: I want you to continue in our employ–want you to, awfully bad; and I’m afraid Ned–he’s so devilish peculiar!–will think you entirely too familiar in thus addressing him, will misunderstand you and take it amiss. I’m afraid he will–that’s all.
Do you–you think he will, Mr. Durbin? –with assumed fear and trembling. No–no! Don’t misunderstand me, Miss Grimes. I don’t know that I think he will; as I just said, I simply have a fear that he will–that he may, at any rate. Understand?
Y-e-s, I–I guess so. And if he should, Mr. Durbin?
Huh? –alertly. Why, if he should think me too unconventional–if he should get affronted, what of it?
What of it?
Yes.
Oh, nothing–nothing! Only–only he might make your unconventionality an–an excuse to discharge you.
To discharge me? –in well-feigned dismay. He nodded–very gravely. Well, I murmured caressingly, trustfully, you wouldn’t–wouldn’t let him, would you?
Not much I wouldn’t–not much! –and, Nell, you should have beheld the pomposity of his strut!– No, indeed, I wouldn’t let him discharge you. But –confidentially, – I want everything to go along smoothly and pleasantly, you know–you understand. As I said to you, Ned’s a mighty peculiar chap; as near as I can understand him and his whims and prejudices, he has no fancy for women at all. He dislikes the whole sex–pretty ones in particular, I guess. I must admit, though, –beaming worshipful admiration upon me!– that he talked more to you this morning, than I ever knew him to talk to a woman before in his life–on…