"Oh, you know it. I'm wondering--how long you'll stand pat."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you really intend to marry a bunch of coin?"

"That's the program, isn't it? I've been raised for that, and
nothing else."

"Well, ma can't put it over, so I guess it's up to me. Just leave
things to Brother Jim, and don't worry over what happens. Nobody
along Broadway pays any attention to this rot." He indicated the
newspaper with a wave of his cigar. After a moment he added,
"Would you accept Merkle?"

Lorelei shivered. "Oh--no! Not Mr. Merkle."

"Why not? He's all right, and he won't last long."

"The idea is--Ugh! He wouldn't ask me, and I sha'n't allow you to
use this scandal to--urge him. The proposition sounds all right in
the abstract--marriage, money, comfort, everything I want--but
when it comes right down to the point--I--always balk."

"Humph! You ought to consider the rest of us a little bit. Pa
could be cured, ma'd be happy. I could get on my feet. How about
Bob Wharton?"

"He's a drunkard."