“It’s true, Beatrice has less than the rest of us. But Rhoda and I need more than she does. Anyway, my life’s practically over. I’ve got no future—no hope elsewhere, or”—she sprang up and her eyes glittered insanely at him—“or do you suppose I’d stay on with you—you who have become nothing but a slave driver? Then there’s Rhoda. She and her husband need quantities of money. The little you’ve given her is nothing to what she wants and fawns on you to get. As for the boys, they’re too fond of being rich and showing off to dare do anything but cringe——”
“A nice brood you’ve brought up, haven’t you?” frothed her husband.
“They’re your children at heart—all of them. You’ve ruined them. Yes, you—not I, but you!”
He turned his back on her. “You go to Europe day after to-morrow, all the same,” he cried.
“I’ll do nothing of the sort!” retorted she.
“You will spend the money I allow you in the way I direct, or you will not get it,” rejoined he. “Ring for your secretary and your maid and the housekeeper. Set this swarm of idlers in motion. There’s no time to be lost.”
“I’ll not go!”
“Do you want me to give the orders? Do you want the servants to——”
“Oh, you—devil!” she screamed. Then she burst into hysterical tears. “And I’ve got no will. I’m a weak, degraded nothing. If I were a dozen years younger! Oh—oh—oh!”
Richmond rang the bell. “I’ve rung for your maid,” said he. “Stop that slopping—and get busy.” His tone indicated that he was not wholly pleased with himself.