"Why not? Why cut off your nose to spite your face? What difference does it make where you get it as long as it's a decent deal? You can't afford to take two or three years off to complete your education——"
"Begin it, you mean."
"I mean finish it! You can't afford to; but if you'll borrow the money you'll make good in exactly one-tenth of the time you'd otherwise take to arrive——"
"Jack, I won't discuss it with you. I know you are generous and kind——"
"I'm not! I'm anything but! For heaven's sake let a man indulge his vanity, Cynthia. Imagine my pride when you are famous! Picture my bursting vanity as I sit in front and tell everybody near me that the credit is all mine; that if it were not for me you would be nowhere!"
"It's so like you," she said sweetly. "You always were an inordinate boaster, so I am not going to encourage you."
"Can't you let me make you a business loan at exorbitant interest without expiring of mortification?"
They had reached the theatre; a few loafers sunning themselves by the stage entrance leered at them.
"Hush, Jack! I can't discuss it with you. But you know how grateful I am, don't you?"
"No, I don't——" he said sulkily.