"I'll see you starve before you get any more of MY money."

The dentist stepped back a pace and stared up at her wonder-stricken. His face was lean and pinched. Never had the jaw bone looked so enormous, nor the square-cut head so huge. The moonlight made deep black shadows in the shrunken cheeks.

"Huh?" asked the dentist, puzzled. "What did you say?"

"I won't give you any money — never again — not a cent."

"But do you know that I'm hungry?"

"Well, I've been hungry myself. Besides, I DON'T believe you."

"Trina, I ain't had a thing to eat since yesterday morning; that's God's truth. Even if I did get off with your money, you CAN'T see me starve, can you? You can't see me walk the streets all night because I ain't got a place to sleep. Will you let me in? Say, will you? Huh?"

"No."

"Well, will you give me some money then — just a little? Give me a dollar. Give me half a dol — Say, give me a DIME, an' I can get a cup of coffee."

"No."