This is an awful specter, which is ever ready to appear before the man who has embarked his all in one venture.

A disastrous season, two or three unlucky ventures, a succession of bad debts, and the grisly specter stands before them.
He had no terror for the old man so long as he thought that Iris was safe.

But now-- "Idle talk, Iris--idle talk, child," he said, when they tried to comfort him.

"How can a girl make money by teaching?
Idle talk, young man.

How can money be made by painting?
It's as bad a trade as writing.