It was not the fact that she had often thought of the plan. But in her eagerness she imagined it to be the fact. She had never seriously thought of the plan until that moment, and it appeared doubly favourable to her now, because the execution of it, by absorbing capital, ought to divert Edwin from his lithographic project, and perhaps render the lithographic project impossible for years.
She added, aloud:
"Then you wouldn't have any rent to pay."
"How true!" said Edwin, rallying her. "But it would stand me in a loss, because I should have to pay too much for the place."
"Why?" she cried, in arms. "Why should Maggie ask too much just because you want it? And think of all the money you've spent on it!"
"The money spent on it only increases its value to Maggie. You don't seem to understand landlordism, my child. But that's not the point at all. Maggie won't ask any price. Only I couldn't decently pay her less than the value she took the house over at when we divided up. To wit, £1,800. It ain't worth that. I only pay £60 rent."
"If she took it over at too high a value that's her look-out," said the harsh and unjust Hilda.
"Not at all. She was a fool. Albert and Clara persuaded her. It was a jolly good thing for them. I couldn't very well interfere."
"It seems a great shame you should have to pay for what Albert and Clara did."
"I needn't unless I want to. Only, if I buy the house, £1,800 will have to be the price."