'What would give you genuine pleasure?'
Holding out his hands in front of him he began to wave them up and down--as if he wanted to persuade me how simple he really was. But it wouldn't do. Especially as what he started saying nearly took my breath away.
'It's in this way. From what you've said of your husband's previous proceedings--we won't call them eccentricities, you might object.'
'I should object.'
He smiled.
'I thought so. Well, from what you've said, it appears to be quite within the range of possibility that his absence may continue several weeks; even months. Under those circumstances one can easily understand how, as you yourself put it, you may become short of money. One moment!' He saw how words were trembling on the tip of my tongue, which it was all I could do to keep from tumbling off it. 'If that is, or should become, the case, I shall be very happy, while his absence continues, to make you an allowance.'
'To make me an allowance?' I stared. 'What allowance?'
'Well, shall we say, five pounds a week?'
'Five pounds a week?' I gasped. 'You'll allow me five pounds a week?'
'As I observed, to do so would give me genuine pleasure. I wish you to understand, Mrs. Merrett, that in me you have a sincere friend.' I believed it every moment less and less. 'Indeed, not only should I be willing to make you such an allowance, but I should be happy to see that your children are properly educated; particularly your boy.'