“I know you,” said Barney. She held out the package to him. “I've brought this back,” said she.
Barney made no motion to take it from her.
“I can't take it,” she said, firmly.
Suddenly Barney threw up his hands over his face. “Can't you take just that much from me, Charlotte? Can't you let me do as much as that for you?” he groaned out.
“No, I can't,” said Charlotte. “You must take it back, Barney.”
“Oh, Charlotte, can't you—take that much from me?”
“I can take nothing from you as things are,” Charlotte replied.
“I wanted you to have a dress. I saw you had given the other away. I didn't think—there was any harm in buying it for you, Charlotte.”
“It isn't your place to buy dresses for me as things are,” said Charlotte. She extended the package, and he took it, as if by force. She heard him sob.
“You must never try to do anything like this again,” she said. “I want you to understand it, Barney.”