"These mechanical contrivances are very expensive, you know." "Oh, this one isn't.

It's only five guineas." "Five guineas is rather a lot of money, Minnie," he said gravely.
"Couldn't you manage with the table you have for a bit longer ?" Mrs.Selwyn tossed the price-list pettishly on to the floor.
"Of, of course!" she declared.

"That's always the way.

'Can't I manage with what I have?
Can't I make do with this, that, and the other ?' I believe you grudge every penny you spend on me!" she wound up acrimoniously.
A dull red crept into Selwyn's face.
"You know it's not that, Minnie," he replied in a painfully controlled voice.

"It's simply that I _can't afford_ these things.