You--you know I am not like that. I trusted you as a
man; I--I gave you my--my confidence as a friend," her speech growing
swift, and impetuous. "Do not make me sorry. I will not accept your
money; I will never remain dependent upon you, or a burden. I have
regained my courage, and am no longer afraid. All I needed was to know
that I was not all alone--I can fight for the rest."
"Mrs. Bernard," I began quietly, realizing her spirit. "You have given a
wrong meaning to my words; I respect you, believe in you, and merely
desire to help you to the best of my ability. Sit down here, and let us
face this thing squarely together. We must n't act like children, or
close our eyes to facts. For instance--we have both been up all night.
That is n't specially new for me, but it is to you, and the exposure and
strain shows. You are not fit to go out hunting employment."
"Poverty has no choice," bitterly. "The fact that I am tired does not
matter."
"Oh, but it does. Now I am not quite so badly off as you suppose. All I
ask is a chance to think, to arrange some plan. Won't you sit quietly
there until I puzzle it out?"
She sank down wearily upon one end of the settee, and I took the other,
leaning forward, my face in my hands.
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