Hugh whistled contemptuously, but ’Lina kept her temper, and continued, coaxingly,
“Everybody is to be there, and you’d like to have your sister look decent, I know; and really, Hugh, I can’t unless you give me a little money. Do, Hugh, be good for once.”
“Ad, I can’t,” and Hugh spoke sorrowfully, for a kind word from ’Lina always touched his weaker side. “I would if I could, but honestly I’ve only twenty-five dollars in the world, and I’ve thought of a new coat. I don’t like to look so shabby. It hurts me worse than it does you,” and Hugh’s voice trembled as he spoke.
Any but a heart of stone would have yielded, but, ’Lina was too supremely selfish. Hugh had twenty-five dollars. He might give her half, or even ten. She’d be satisfied with ten. He could soon make that up. The negro hire came due ere long. He must have forgotten that.
No, he had not; but with the negro hire came debts, thoughts of which gave him the old worn look his mother had observed. Only ten dollars! It did seem hard to refuse, and if ’Lina went, Hugh wished her to look well, for underneath his apparent harshness lurked a kind of pride in his sister, whose beauty was of the bold, dashing style.
“Take them,” he said at last counting out the ten with regretful sigh. “Make them go as far as you can, and Ad, remember don’t get into debt.”
“I won’t,” and with a civil “Thank you,” ’Lina rolled up her bills, while Hugh repaired to Adah’s room telling her of Aunt Eunice, and his plan of taking her there.
With a burst of tears, Adah listened to him, and then insisted upon going away, as she had done the previous night. She had no claim on him, and she could not be a burden.
“You, madam, think it best, I’m sure,” she said, appealing to Mrs. Worthington, who was present and who answered promptly,
“I do not. I am willing you should remain until your friends are found.”