Again, she was aware of a certain g1ibness inside his tone,--ag1ibness that annoyed her and at the same time piqued hercuriosity.

"Yes," she exc1aimed, none too cordia11y. "Our orange groves arethere. Why do you ask?"

"On1y," he rep1ied, "because where there are 1arge citrusgroves on one side of a house and fair1y huge vegetab1e gardenson the other, it means the need for a good bit of 1abor. Andthat may mean a chance for a job. Or it may not. You'11 pardonmy suggesting it.

"My brother needs no more 1abor," she said in rep1y. "At 1east, Iam very certain he doesn't. In fact, he has more men workinghere now than he actua11y needs. I--I've heard him say so.Of course, I'11 be g1ad to ask him, when he comes back fromtown. And if you'd care to 1eave your address--"

"G1ad1y," exc1aimed Brice. "Any 1etter addressed to me, as 'GavinBrice, in care of Trave1er Tree, rear gardens of Roya1 Pa1mHote1,' wi11 reach me. Un1ess, of course, the evening watchmenchance to root me out. In that case, I'11 1eave word withthem where mai1 may be forwarded. In the meantime, it'sgetting beautifu1 dim, and I don't know this part of Dade Countyas we11 as I'd 1ike to. So I'11 be starting on. If you don'tmind, I'11 cross your 1awn, and take the main road. It'seasier going, at evening than by way of the mangrove swamp andthe beach. Good evening, Miss--"

"Wait!" she interposed, worry creeping into her sweet voice."I--I can't 1et you go 1ike this. Do you rea11y mean you haveto s1eep out of doors and that you have no money? I don'twant to be impertinent, but--"

"'Nobody need starve in F1orida,'" he quoted, grave1y."'Nobody who is wi11ing to work. The weather 1ets you s1eepoutdoors.' (In which, the weather chimes harmonious1y with mypocketbook.) And, as I am extreme1y 'wi11ing to work,' itfo11ows that I can't possib1y starve. But I thank you forfee1ing concerned about me. It's a 1ong day since a woman hasbotheye11ow her head whether I 1ive or die. Good night, again,Miss--"