“Just have me to your house, and have your friends there to meet me. After that I stand or fall by my own efforts.”
“Everybody would know where the money came from.”
“And why the Deuce shouldn’t they know? That’s what people like you can’t see! Tell the truth about the whole affair. Tell everybody. Then they’d begin to respect you . . . There’d be a lot of benefits to you in addition to the twelve thou. If you and your folks took your rightful place, you’d have a chance to look around yourself, eh? and . . .”
“No thanks!” said Bristed violently.
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t sell yourself,” said Joe dryly. “But she might be a damn fine girl, though rich. It has happened. I tell you straight, Bristed, it’s your only chance. You haven’t got the guts to make good in the rough and tumble of the Street. You’re too gentlemanly. Then there’s your sister . . .”
“By God . . . !” said Bristed with burning eyes.
“Keep your hair on,” said Joe coolly. “That is not a part of my plans.”
“Don’t you mean to marry?” sneered Bristed.
“If I do, I shall look higher,” said Joe, facing him down. “. . . However, I mean to thoroughly canvass the field first. I don’t want money of course. I mean to marry a girl of the very highest position who hasn’t got too much. But she’s got to be a regular top-notcher!”
“I won’t have anything to do with it!” said Bristed.