“It hasn’t got quite to that point. The customer hasn’t actually given the order yet, but my mother is an expert saleswoman, and I have no doubt that by the next time you see me I shall have the usual ticket on to show that I am disposed of.”
The captain gnawed his mustache as his eyes sought in vain to fix those of the insolent beauty.
“Hang it! don’t you care a little bit? I have loved you for years. Does it all go for nothing with you?”
Victoria sat up and became business-like.
“Stupid fellow, why can’t you look at it rationally, like I do? There, I will give in to you so far as to say that I would much rather you bought me than anybody else. I would even give a discount in your case; you should have me at store prices. But what is the use? We couldn’t live together. You know they separate married couples in the workhouse.”
“I have eight hundred a year,” the man protested.
“That would pay for my frocks. Any debts?”
“Well, I have a little paper out,” he reluctantly admitted.
“So I thought. Small income, large debts—”
“No, not large debts.”