Granthope shook his head sharply. "No, don't do that, please! I can't take anything, even as a loan, you know. I can't spend a cent I haven't honestly earned—I never shall again, if I have to starve, which I don't intend to do, either. You must know that."
"But from me—isn't that different?"
"Not even from you!"
"Of course you mustn't. I see. It's better not to, yet somehow I could have forgiven you if you had let me help a little at first. I don't exactly see how you're going to live. Why, it's awful, when you come to think of it, isn't it? It really is serious. What a goose I've been! I'm afraid I shall worry about you now. Well, you'll have to have lunch with me to-day, anyway. That's only fair, if I invite you."
"On the contrary, I'm going to invite you to share my humble meal."
"All right; let's be reckless then, if you must be proud and show off. It will be fun. I never economized in my life, but now I'm going to show you how. Hand over all your wealth, please."
She counted it out upon the desk, a five dollar piece, six silver dollars and two halves and a few nickels. "Now," she said, "how long can we make this last—a week?"
"I've lived for three weeks on that much, often, and paid for my room."
"Something's bound to happen within ten days, I'm sure. If you see nothing ahead at the end of a week, I'll put you on half-rations, and till then I'll allow you a dollar a day. Shall I keep it for you?"
He was delighted to have a treasurer.