At last Plank had given him an opening.

He recognised his chance.
"There's one thing," he said deliberately, "that I won't stand for, and that's any vulgar misconception on your part of my friendship for you.
Do you follow me ?" "I don't misunderstand it," protested Plank, angry and astonished; "I don't--" "-- As though," continued Mortimer menacingly, "I were one of those needy social tipsters, one of those shabby, pandering touts who--" "For Heaven's sake, Mortimer, don't talk like that! I had no intention--" "-- One of those contemptible, parasitic leeches," persisted Mortimer, getting redder and hoarser, "who live on men like you.

Confound you, Plank, what the devil do you mean by it ?" "Mortimer, are you crazy, to talk to me like that ?" "No, I'm not, but you must be! I've a mind to drop the whole cursed business! I've every inclination to drop it! If you haven't horse-sense enough--if you haven't innate delicacy sufficient to keep you from making such a break--" "I didn't! It wasn't a break, Mortimer.

I wouldn't have hurt you--" "You did hurt me! How can I feel the same again?
I never imagined you thought I was that sort of a social mercenary.

Why, so little did I dream that you looked on our friendship in that light that I was--on my word of honour!--I was just now on the point of asking you for three or four thousand, to carry me to the month's end and square my bridge balance." "Mortimer, you must take it! You are a fool to think I meant anything by saying I wanted to show my gratitude.