flank.

"Would you like that?" he inquired; and her very heart seemed to
stand still in horror at his tone. It was a tone that suggested
that the idea was attractive!

She debated. He must be "bluffing"--he surely must. She rallied
her courage and pushed on: "It's probably the best we can do in
the circumstances. We'd have almost nothing left after we'd paid
our rent if we set up for ourselves. Even if I were content to
pinch and look a frump and never go out, you'd not tolerate it."

"Nothing could be more galling," said he, after reflecting, "than
what people would say if we lived off your grandmother. No, going
there is unthinkable. I like her, and we'd get on well together--"

Margaret laughed. "Like two cats drowning in a bag."

"Not at all," protested he sincerely. "Your grandmother and I
understand each other--better than you and I--at least, better
than you understand me. However, I'll not permit our being
dependents of hers."

Margaret had a queer look. Was not her taking enough money from
the old lady to pay all her personal expenses--was not that
dependence?

"We'll return to that later," continued he, and she had an
uncomfortable sense that he was answering her thought. "To go back
to your idea in marrying me. You expected me to leave politics."