"It WOULD be mean.

I don't want 'em." As he turned from her to pick up the box, Maria took advantage of the moment to steal three "mats" of sponge-gold out of the glass saucer.

Often she stole McTeague's gold, almost under his very eyes; indeed, it was so easy to do so that there was but little pleasure in the theft.

Then Maria took herself off.
McTeague returned to the sofa and flung himself upon it face downward.
A little before supper time Maria completed her search.

The flat was cleaned of its junk from top to bottom.