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"There's one thing," he said deliberately, "that I won't stand for, and that's any vulgar misconception on your part of my friendship for you Do you follow ry and astonished; "I don't--"

"--As though," continued Mortily, "I were one of those needy social tipsters, one of those shabby, pandering touts who--"

"For Heaven's sake, Mortimer, don't talk like that! I had no intention--"

"--One of those conte redder and hoarser, "who live on men like you Confound you, Plank, what the devil do you mean by it?"

"Mortimer, are you crazy, to talk to me like that?"

"No, I'm not, but you must be! I've a mind to drop the whole cursed business! I've every inclination to drop it! If you haven't horse-sense enough--if you haven't innate delicacy sufficient to keep you fro such a break--"

"I didn't! It wasn't a break, Mortimer I wouldn't have hurt you--"

"You did hurt ht I was that sort of a social mercenary Why, so little did I dreaht that I was--onyou for three or four thousand, to carry e balance"

"Mortimer, youby saying I wanted to show ratitude Look here; be decent and fair with me I wouldn't offer you an affront--would I?--even if I were a cad I wouldn't do it now, just when you're getting things into shape for me I'm not a fool, anyway This is in deadly earnest, I tell you, Mortiot to show your confidence in ot to take what you want from me, as you would froh you drew a line between me and your intimates If you're really my friend, show it!"

There was a pause A curious and unaccusto almost akin to shame It astonished him a little He did not quite understand why, in the veryman and his thrifty Dutch instincts, he should feel unco? Had he not earned at least the right to borrow from this rich man who could afford to pay for as done for him? Why should he feel ashamed? He had not been treacherous; he really liked the fellow Why shouldn't he take his money?