If I had had a child," he went on, "even if there were one single soul of whom I was fond, to whom I might look for sympathy; even if you, my dear friend--you see, I am bold, and I venture to call you my dear friend--could be a little kinder sometimes, it would make all the difference in the world." She turned her head and looked at him.

His teeth came together hastily.
It seemed to him that already she was on her guard.
"You have something more to say, haven't you ?" she asked.
He hesitated.

Her tone was non-committal.

It was a moment when he might have risked everything, but he feared to make a mistake.
"This is what I mean," he declared, with the appearance of great frankness.

"I am going to speak to you upon the absurd question of money.