"It is, in effect, that my manager there has himself invented a machine quite capable of dealing with the fibre, and that we are now in a position to set about manufacturing."
"What splendid news, William!" she cried, with gentle enthusiasm, pressing the hand she still retained. "You did not expect anything of this kind?"
"No. But excellent as the news is, it has a drawback; and that drawback is one of the reasons why you must get well at once."
"Why, what has my recovery to do with the affair, and what is the drawback?"
"Well, the fact of the matter is we cannot get the machinery made without some money, and the little I have isn't nearly enough."
"But I have some. Take the savings. I have told you over and over again that they are yours. Would what I have be enough?"
"Well, with what I have and what I can raise I think it would; but you must get well first. It is only sentiment, no doubt; but I could not bear to take your money while you are not as well as you were a little while ago. The only interest or object I now have in this discovery is that you may share the great benefit of it with me."
"Indeed, indeed, you must not think of me in this way. It is like your dear kind self to say what you have just said; but it is not businesslike, and you must take the money. I am only sorry it is not ten times as much."
"No, no! Not, anyway, until you are as well as you were a couple of months ago, dear Nellie."
"But you must. I will listen to no denial. Fancy, allowing my illness to stand in the way of your success!"