"Tell me how it began—the very beginning of things."
A gloomy cloud passed over Bence's animated face.
"Upon my word, I don't care to look back upon those days. I was in such bitter trouble, Mr. Prentice."
"When did you think of going to her?"
"I never thought of it. She came to me. I couldn't believe my ears when she opened the matter."
"What did she say?"
"Oh, she didn't beat about the bush. She said, if it was really true that I wanted money, she might supply it—on certain terms."
"Yes, yes—and tell me, my dear fellow, what were her terms?"
"Mr. Prentice," said Bence solemnly, "her terms were terrible—it was just buying me at a knock-out price."
"You don't say so?"