"No. Let's thresh it out now that we've begun. And do try to keep
your temper. There's no reason for anger. We've got to go back to
civilization. We've got to live after we get there. We want to
live comfortably, as satisfactorily for both as our income
permits. Now, what shall we do? How shall we invest our eight
thousand a year--and whatever your grandmother allows you? I don't
need much. I'll turn the salary over to you. You're entirely
welcome to all there is above my board and clothes."

This sounded generous and, so, irritated Margaret the more. "You
know very well we can't live like decent people on twelve or
fifteen thousand a year in Washington."

"You knew that before you married me. What did you have in mind?"

Silence.

"Why do you find it difficult to be frank with me?"

His courteous, appealing tone and manner made it impossible to
indulge in the lie direct or the lie evasive. She continued
silent, raging inwardly against him for being so ungenerous, so
ungentlemanly as to put her in such a pitiful posture, one vastly
different from that she had prearranged for herself when "the
proper time" came.

"You had something in mind," he persisted. "What is it?"

"Grandmother wishes us to live with her," she said with intent to