“The letter has come.”
“You would make thousands a year out of it. Phil, oh, Phil, how happy I am! You have replied, have you not?”
“I have.”
“Then why do you keep me in suspense? It is settled. What are you so glum about?”
“I have declined the offer. I cannot assay the Lombard Deeps Gold Mine.”
“Philip!” His wife’s voice was at first incredulous, then it rose into a scream.
“You cannot be speaking the truth,” she said.
“My answer is posted. I am not too scrupulous about small things, but I draw the line at a matter of that sort. Go to bed.”
She did not speak for a moment, her face turned pale, then she went close up to him.
“I hate you,” she said; “go your own way in the future,” and she left him standing silent.