When her mother asked her for it a second time, it seemed harder than ever for Trina to part with even half the sum requested.

She answered her mother, telling her that they were very hard up themselves for that month, but that she would send down the amount in a few weeks.
"I'll tell you what we'll do, Mac," she said to her husband, "you send half and I'll send half; we'll send twenty-five dollars altogether.
Twelve and a half apiece.

That's an idea.

How will that do ?" "Sure, sure," McTeague had answered, giving her the money.

Trina sent McTeague's twelve dollars, but never sent the twelve that was to be her share.