“‘No, I cannot afford it.’
“‘Cannot afford it,’ I gasped.
“‘No. You see, Mary, I have to spend so much keeping pace with the crowd, that money is not at all plentiful with me.’
“‘And this appointment is the only means you have of going abroad?’
“‘Yes, Mary.’
“I looked at him, his eyes were filled with tears. My heart softened; I saw the tender emotion as it lit up his face until a halo seemed to surround his head. I knew that I loved him yet. I heard his trembling voice, as he pleaded with me, I saw his soft, white hands as they reached out to me in mute appeal; I think the tears which now half blinded me must have had a softening effect on my callous nature. Then with a flash I thought of a son without a father, I again went through years of toil, and as if a panoramic view was being unrolled before me, I saw a house in mourning, a hearse drawn by black horses, draped with great, black nets, whose fringe hung almost to the ground. I saw a line of vehicles moving slowly, a man opened the door, then I heard a voice say, ‘No, I do not care to take any servants.’ Then with the pride wrought by the tingling of the warm blood which coursed through my veins, I said, ‘Well, Mr. Sunderman, I am sorry, but I must ask you and your family to forego this one pleasure.’
“He did not mistake my sarcasm; he only asked me what would be the consequences, if he refused.
“‘If you are anxious to know,’ said I, ‘just refuse and wait twenty-four hours.’
“Within two days the papers were full of Mr. Sunderman’s withdrawal on account of a sudden breaking down of his health. He had many applicants for his influence, but he did not tell anyone that he had given up the only position over which he had any influence for reasons of his own.