“Through thick and thin; so long as we shared!” answered Boyce, holding out his hand, and working his long fingers like the claws of a bird.
“Of course, I should be liberal. Brothers are brothers, you know.”
“Yes, and don’t they grind one another down? Oh, no, never! It isn’t in the natur of one to do nothing, and take all he can grip at. He never lets any one take risks of the law for him. Oh, no!”
“But you will run no risk when I marry Ellen Post. The law comes on me there.”
“Exactly. But I come between you and the law, having seen you married to that other woman, and knowing just where she’s to be found any minute!”
“Well, well, you will not be unreasonable?”
“Oh, no! But won’t she cut up rusty?”
“How is she to find out? What does Mary Boyce know about Robert Mahone? Why, she don’t know who I am living with. In fact, thinks I’m tending bar in some place where women never come; generally out of business though, or I shouldn’t get a share of her earnings.”
“And you mean to do it, anyhow?”
“Yes. I’ve made up my mind. Such a pile of money don’t tumble in upon a fellow without some risk; so I’ll stand the racket, especially as Ellen Post is a splendid cretur.”