"Dick, I must go on. It is for your sake as well as mine. There is a principle at stake."
"Rot."
"What you are doing is dishonest. It is embezzlement!" and she turned from him, and looked at the empty fireplace.
With an oath he seized her arm, and swung her round till she faced him again.
"Take that back—or you'll be sorry for it. Do you dare to say that word again? Now we'll see." Holding her with one hand, he swayed her to and fro, as if to force her down to her knees; and his other hand was raised threateningly on a level with her face.
"Are you going to strike me?" And she looked at him with still unflinching eyes. "Why don't you do it? Why are you hesitating? Oh, my God—it only wanted this to justify everything."
Her courage seemed to increase his hesitation. He lowered the threatening hand, but continued to hold her tightly.
"Say what you mean. Out with it."
"Dick, you know very well what I mean.... It must be stopped."
"What must be stopped?"