"Well, sir, what are you going to do about it? I'm not particularly interested in that bill; but a lot of our friends are behind it, and we've got to take care of our friends," said Bassett, without raising his voice.
Their relations were practically at an end; and Bassett did not care. But Dan felt the wrench; he felt it the more keenly because of Bassett's impassiveness at this moment of parting.
"You've been a kind friend to me, sir; you've—"
Bassett laid his hand with an abrupt gesture upon Harwood's arm, and smiled a curious, mirthless smile.
"None of that! I told you, when the time came for you to go, you need shed no tears at the parting. Remember, you don't owe me anything; we're quits."
"I hoped you wouldn't see it just this way; that you would realize the danger of that bill—to the party, to yourself!"
"You can score heavily by showing up the bill for what you think it is. Go ahead; it's your chance. I haven't a word to say to you."
He folded his white gloves and put them away carefully in his breast pocket.
"Good-night, sir!"
"Good-night, Harwood!"