Finally he went to the firm which had once held a mortgage on his house.

The chief partner had been close to Bruce, an old college friend.

And when even this friend refused him aid, "It's a question of Bruce's children," Roger muttered, reddening.

He felt like a beggar, but he was getting desperate.

The younger man had looked away and was nervously tapping his desk with his pen.
"Bad as that, eh," he answered.