“‘But I will try, I will do all I can to make them like me.’
“‘Yes, I know,—but the truth of the matter is they are not fit for you to associate with.’
“‘Not fit—why, what do you mean? Not fit companions for me and yet my husband is to become your hireling and mingle with them.’
“My blood boiled, my heart seemed to leap to my throat, while my temples throbbed until my head was in a whirl.
“‘Oh, but you see that is another matter,’ said my caller. ‘With your husband going it is simply a business proposition, while with you, to say the least, it would ruin your reputation.’
“‘And my husband’s name, how about that? Is that not to be considered? Am I to sit at home idle and permit my husband to join a party of men and women whose companionship is of such a nature as would ruin a decent woman who happened to be in their company? No! no, Mr. ⸺, if the company is unfit for me, it is not good enough for him.’
“‘But you must live.’
“‘Yes, but not on the price of my husband’s honor.’
“‘Oh, my! what a fine little lady you are, but come now, think it over a while and I will see you later, and here, for fear you will need something, take this,’ and he pushed a roll of bills into my hand, then added, as he saw the look of disgust on my face, ‘it is all right, I owe it to Harry and you are entitled to it.’
“I took the money and he departed.