An elderly man, anxious, poor,and ratlike, sits at
a table with his wife. The man, after a moment of irresolution, sits
downhelplessly.
Yes; but how do you arrive at the figure? Is there
any question of that between us?
The old man makes a dash toprevent her, but is too
late.
And what do you want atpresent, for instance? Men
are a different and veryinferior species.
I will hurt you until you wish yourself
dead.
As to Miss Smith, thisis a licensed house; and she
has as much right to be here as you orI. The woman instantly stops sewing and
conceals thepiles of coats under the table.
How can I afford to lose a client with suchan
income and such a temper? Thestupidest di Parerga can just walk round the cleverest
Jew when itcomes to moneymaking. My poor old father hadnt the nerve to turnher out:
he said she might just try for a day or two. That is why Sagamore should not have
brought me here. Do you suggest that I am not a moral man?
I pay theright wages, same as everybody pays. She
looks at the pair; then looks round her; then goesto the curtain and looks
through.
Be a man, darling: dont be afraid of
her.
Yes; but how do you arrive at the figure? At the
rate of exchange contemplated by my mother,about thirtyfive shillings.
I dont like the people I employ to know too much.
You dont know thestruggle we have to live.
There is no might and no majesty save in Thee, O
Allah;but oh! If I had I should have anoperation a week until there was nothing left
of me or of my bankbalance. Business isbusiness; and theres no room for sentiment in
it. When I think of my father allordinary men seem to me the merest trash.