"When you talk of giving up respectability," he remarked in an aggrieved tone, "I should think you might consider me."
Her eyes danced, as if she were delighted to see him becoming angry.
"Oh, I do, Jack, I assure you; but I really cannot afford to be respectable any longer. Respectability is the most expensive luxury of civilization; and how can I keep it up when I'm in debt to everybody that'll trust me."
"Then you might economize."
"Economize! Ye gods! This from you, Jack! Where did you hear the word? I'm sure you know nothing of the thing."
He laughed in evident self-despite.
"We are a nice pair of ruffianly adventurers," he responded; "a regular pair of genteel paupers. But we've both got to pull up, I tell you."
"Oh, heavens!" was his mother's reply. "Don't talk to me of pulling up. What fun do I have as it is but quarreling with Miss Wentstile and snubbing Harry Bradish? I've got to keep up my authority in our set, or I should lose even these amusements."
Jack flashed her a swift, questioning look, and with a new note in his voice, a note of doubt at once and desperation, blurted out a fresh question.
"How about flirting with Sibley Langdon?"