it?” he complained, with a strange little quiver of his underlip. [Pg 82] [Pg 82] “Women seldom are fair in their likes and dislikes,” she pronounced. “I hope you will not pursue the subject.” “Is it permitted to ask you any questions with regard to your present avocation?” he ventured, a few minutes later. “I have no objection to telling you what I am doing,” she replied. “I am taking a course of shorthand and typewriting at an office in Fleet Street.” The horror of it chilled Jacob to the very soul. He had only that morning received a cheque from his brother for an unexpected bonus, which amounted to more than she would ever be able to earn in the whole course of her life. “Is that absolutely necessary?” he asked. “We have two hundred a year between us, my mother and I,” she answered drily. “Perhaps you can understand that an extra two or three pounds a week is desirable.” “Damn!” Jacob muttered, under his breath. “I really don’t see why you should be profane,” she remonstrated. “It’s too absurd, your going out to work,” he insisted. “I had business connections in the old days with the house of Bultiwell, by which I profited. Why cannot I be allowed, out of the money I can’t ever dream of spending, to settle—” “If you are going to be impertinent,” she interrupted coolly, “I shall get up and go out.” [Pg 83] [Pg 83] Jacob groaned and cast about in his mind for a less intimate topic of conversation. The subject of theatre-going naturally presented itself. A momentary gleam of regret passed across her face as she answered his questions. “Yes, I remember telling you how fond I always was of first nights,” she admitted. “Nowadays, naturally, we do not go to the theatre at all. My mother and I live very quietly.” Jacob cleared his throat.
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