``You've no right to treat me
like this.''
It was one of those veiled and stealthy reminders of
obligation habitually indulged in by delicate people
seeking repayment of the debt, but shunning the coarseness
of direct demand. Mildred saw her opportunity.
Said she quietly:
``You mean you want me to give myself to you in
payment, or part payment, for the money you've loaned
me?''
He released her hands and sprang up. He had
meant just that, but he had not had the courage, or the
meanness, or both, to admit boldly his own secret wish.
She had calculated on this--had calculated well.
``Mildred!'' he cried in a shocked voice. ``YOU so
lacking in delicacy as to say such a thing!''
``If you didn't mean that, Stanley, what DID you mean?''
``I was appealing to our friendship--our--our love
for each other.''
``Then you should have waited until I was free.''
``Good God!'' he cried, ``don't you see that's
hopeless? Mildred, be sensible--be merciful.''
``I shall never marry a man when he could justly
suspect I did it to live off him.
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