But my point to you is that it won't be for long, and I'm doing this really on your account--to get money enough to satisfy you." She looked up in a startled way, but he went on unheeding.

"You and I must understand each other.

Tell me how much you really need--and we'll get it, Joe and I.
And then I'll give him back to you nights--and in the daytime you leave him to me." He glanced at her with a weary dislike which gave her an impulse to say to him, "Isn't this rather insulting ?" But she did not speak.

For looking at him sharply, she caught in the man's heavy eyes a certain grim, deep wistfulness which drew her a little in spite of his speech.
And she felt very curious, too.
"What do you think I really want ?" she asked him, then.

Her voice was low.
"Money," he said.
"Where did you get that idea ?" "From your sister," he replied.