"Speak up!" he said.

"Do you or do you not stick to the old way ?" "I can't talk about it, father," was Adelaide's evasive answer, her face scarlet and her eyes down.
"And you, sir ?" said Hiram to his son.
"You'll have to excuse me, sir," replied Arthur coldly.
Hiram winced before Mrs.Whitney's triumphant glance.

He leaned forward and, looking at his daughter, said: "Del, would you marry a man who wouldn't take you unless you brought him a fortune ?" "No, father," Adelaide answered.

She was meeting his gaze now.

"But, at the same time, I'd rather not be dependent on my husband." "Do you think your mother is dependent on me ?" "That's different," said Adelaide, after a pause.
"How ?" asked Hiram.
Adelaide did not answer, could not answer.