"I wonder."
"Of course that's all. What does anybody here care how much you've got or haven't got, so long as you're congenial and aren't proposing to marry anybody."
Forbes lifted his head with a quick, startled movement that did not escape Ten Eyck, who pretended to misunderstand.
"Of course, if you really are after Mrs. Neff or the little Neffkin, there might be a call for a show-down of bankbooks."
"I'd be just as much obliged if you people would drop that joke about my courting Mrs. Neff," Forbes grumbled. Ten Eyck was patient; his voice fell to a deep and earnest tone:
"What I say goes along the line, Forbesy. You were good to me when I was sick in Manila. Don't you go and get sick here. You told me what I mustn't eat and drink and wear out there, and I want to warn you against the dangers of this place. There's a tropics right here, too, with deadly miasmas and mosquitoes that buzz strange things and sting you full of delirious fevers. Don't fall in love too far, Forbesy. I like you mighty well and—naming no names—I like her mighty well, but don't get false notions in your head, and don't put false notions in hers."
"About my money, you mean?"
"Umm-humm."
"You think that money would make a difference to her?"
"Hah!" Ten Eyck snorted. "Would water make any difference to a fish?"