“Come, Wolf, I’d hopes you’d change your mind! It isn’t fair to your wife—I tell you that plainly.”
Wolf set his mouth.
“That’s neither here nor there!” he said doggedly. “It’s betwixt her an’ me. I’m asking for the Pride. I’d a reason for wanting it afore. I’ve a double reason now. You an’ me an’ the old master, we’ve passed our word for the Lugg. I’ll fly that flag for the whole marsh to lift its hat! Let me the Pride!”
He leaned forward, holding out his hand in his desire, and Brack leaned, too.
“You’d better go the whole hog!” he sneered. “Here’s the proof of your trusting. Give him the Pride!”
The agent hesitated, cornered and distressed. Before his troubled vision rose a fearful old woman, terrified to madness when the tide came in.
“His wife——” he began again, and Brack leaped down his throat with a second jeer.
“Oh, put it on the missis! I guess a bad excuse is better than none. Come, man, own out that you’re not honest, or else—let him the Pride!”
“He’s all in!” he added, turning to Wolf with a laugh. “Look at him! He’s chilled right through. He’ll not give it you—not on your life!”
“Ay, but he will!” Wolf said quietly, his hand outstretched. “It’s to be yes, sir, isn’t it? Isn’t it, Mr. Lancaster?”