I'll lend you a pound or two." She drew back.

These poor, proud, fond women, who, if their boy, instead of a fine gentleman, had been a helpless invalid, would have tended him, worked for him, nay, begged for him--cheerfully, oh, how cheerfully! wanting nothing in the whole world but his love--they could not ask him for his money.

Even now, offered thus, Hilary felt as if to take it would be intolerable.
Still the thing must be done.
"I wish, Ascott"-- and she nerved herself to say what somebody ought to say to him--"I would you would not lend but pay us the pound a week you said you could so easily spare." "To be sure I will.

What a thoughtless fellow I have been! But--but--I fancied you would have asked me if you wanted it.

Never mind, you'll get it all in a lump.