Osborn's stare at the fire took on a belligerent nature.
"I say!" he exclaimed, "we can't have two fires every day. It's simply not to be thought of."
"We'll sit in the dining-room in the evenings."
"Put down 'Coal, ten pounds,'" said Osborn grudgingly.
When Marie had put it down, she cast a sorrowing look round her dear little room. She would hardly ever use it, except in summer.
"That's close on a hundred and thirty pounds," said Osborn. "We'll make allowance for that, but you'll try to do on less, won't you, darling?"
"I'll try."
"That leaves seventy pounds for my life insurance, and for my expenses and yours, Marie. A man ought to insure his life when he's married; it'll cost me fifteen pounds a year."
"Oh, what a greedy world!" cried Marie, despairing tears running down her face.
Osborn kissed them away, but remained much preoccupied.