If she refused to admit it, the opportunity--slight as it had become--would still be there.

Which to do--which course to take?
For a perceptible passing of time she rocked--a weary pendulum of doubt--between the two.

Then she gave it.
"I'm dead broke," she said thickly.
She saw the last hope vanish with that--looked after it with a curl of bravado on her lip.

Lifting her eyes to his, she knew it was gone.
There, in the place of it, was the calculation of what he could spare--what he should give.
"How much do you want ?" he asked.
The question was ludicrous to her.

She wanted all she could get.