"Do you mean that Throckmorton, Kirby, & Son have--has failed?" she
asked. "Do you mean that my money--the money that my father left me-
-is GONE? Does Mr. Bannister say so? Why--why has it never occurred
to you to warn me?"

"I did warn you. I did try to tell you, in July--why, all the world
knew how things were going!"

If, on the last word, there crept into his voice the plea that even
a strong man makes to his women for sympathy, for solace, Margaret's
eyes killed it. John, turning to go, gave her what consolation he
could.

"Margaret, I can only say I'm sorry. I tried--Bannister knows how I
tried to hold my own. But I was pretty young when your father died,
and there was no one to help me learn. I'm glad it doesn't mean
actual suffering for you. Some day, perhaps, we'll get some of it
back. God knows I hope so. I've not meant much to you. Your marriage
has cost you pretty dear. But I'm going to do the only thing I can
for you."

Silence followed. Margaret presently roused herself.

"I suppose this can be kept from the papers? We needn't be discussed
and pointed at in the streets?" she asked heavily, her face a mask
of distaste.

"That's impossible," said John, briefly.

"To some people nothing is impossible," Margaret said.