The colour for some reason rose to my cheeks. Alec looked as if he wasn't pleased and I was suddenly ashamed.
"About—sixty dollars," I murmured.
"Sixty dollars!" Alec flashed. "Why did you need so much money?" he asked me sternly.
I saw my danger then. It was as if I had had my hands on the steering-wheel of Dr. Maynard's automobile, and suddenly saw an enormous limousine headed for me around a curve.
"Why," I stammered, trying to keep calm, "I thought the business was doing so—poorly, that I—I—"
"Why did you think it necessary not to tell me about this—enterprise of yours?" asked Alec.
The limousine kept coming straight for me, you see.
I hesitated just a moment. I had no idea of telling about Oliver. After you've worked for a cause, you'll protect it if it kills you. But I was at a loss to know which way to turn, and I had to act quickly. An inspiration came to me. It wasn't a good one, but I was excited.
"I borrowed seventy-five dollars from the Household Account. I had a dressmaker's bill of my own to pay that had stood a long while, and so—now I'm trying to make it up."