"No, I prefer to say my say where I am. I'll not detain you long. You
keep out of earshot, Jim. I want to borrow a little money, Elsie; a
trifle of fifty dollars or so. Can you accommodate me?"

"Not without papa's knowledge, Arthur. So I hope you do not wish to
conceal the matter from him."

"I do. I see no reason why he should know all my private affairs.
Can't you raise that much without applying to him? Isn't your
allowance very large now?"

"Fifty dollars a month, Arthur, but subject to the same conditions as
of old. I must account to papa for every cent."

"Haven't you more than that in hand now?"

"Yes, but what do you want it for?"

"That's neither your business nor his; let me have it for two weeks,
I'll pay it back then, and in the meantime he need know nothing about
it."

"I cannot; I never have any concealments from papa, and I must give in
my account in less than a week."

"Nonsense! You are and always were the most disobliging creature
alive!" returned Arthur with an oath.

"Oh, Arthur, how can you say such wicked words," she said, recoiling
from him with a shudder. "And you quite misjudge me. I would be glad