The dress was her mother's, and she was wearing it to save a little extra money." The doctor had entered the room fully determined to tell the patient the major part of Ruth's story, to inspire him with proper respect and gratitude.

Instead, he could not get beyond these minor details--why she wore the dress, whence she had come, and whither she was bound.

The idea of this sudden reluctance was elusive; the fact was evident but not the reason for it.
"How would you like a job on a copra plantation ?" he asked, irrelevantly to the thoughts crowding one another in his mind.

"Out of the beaten track, with a real man for an employer?
How would that strike you ?" Interest shot into Spurlock's eyes; it spread to his wan face.

Out of the beaten track! He must not appear too eager.