“How do you know what he earns?” said McNiven.
“He's told me often enough.”
“Do you believe all he told you?”
“No; but, anyway, I don't want any of his old alimony. I have money enough of my own.”
“That can be arranged later, but if you don't swear to this as it lies you can't have your divorce.”
“Why not?”
“Because there has to be a contest, and we've got to give his lawyer something to fight.”
Charity yielded wearily. She fought against making an affidavit to the truth of the complaint, but when McNiven said, “No affidavit, no divorce,” she took her oath before the clerk who was called in as a notary public.
“Now you may go home,” said McNiven; and Charity stole out, feeling herself a perjured criminal. Then the divorce-mill began to grind.
A process-server from McNiven's office went across Broadway to Tessier's office, where Cheever was waiting. He handed the papers to Cheever, who handed them to Tessier, who hastily dictated an answer denying the adultery, the alleged income, and the propriety of the alimony claimed.