She counted them on
the table; ten bills denominating a thousand dollars each.
"I won't take them." said Alexina stiffy. "I think you are horrid, simply
horrid,"
"And do you imagine I would keep it? I What do you take me for?"
"I am in a way responsible for Mortimer's debts--his partner."
"That cuts no ice with me--nor with you. That is not the reason you sold
your jewels and laces and those superb--Oh, you poor child! If I'm furious,
it's more for you than on any other account. You don't deserve such a
fate--"
"I don't deserve to have you treat me so ungratefully. I can't get my
things back. I wanted you to have the money more than I eared for those
things, anyhow. I have no use for the money. I don't owe anything and the
rent Tom pays me for six months will help me to run the house for the rest
of the year and pay taxes besides. So, you just keep it, Gora. It's yours
and that's the end of it."
"This is the end of it as far as I'm concerned." She opened the secret
drawer of the cabinet and stuffed in the bills. "They're safe from any sort
of burglars there. But not from fire. Bank them to-morrow."
"I'll not touch them."
"Nor I either."
III
Gora threw her hat on the floor and sitting down before the table thrust
her hands into her hair and tugged at the roots. "I always do this when
I'm excited--which is oftener than you think. What dreams I had that first
night--I got his note late and was too tired to reason, to suspect.
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