Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/99

 She saw that her words were unwise. They made her own position worse. But faced by such an appeal she had to do her best on the spur of the moment.

"I know how much it means to you." Pain was clouding the eyes of this dreamer. "I know your love for it is equal to mine, but that will make our joy in giving it to your uncle so much the greater."

"But why to Uncle Si—of all people?"

"He wants it." William's voice was low and solemn. "At this moment, I believe he wants it more than anything else in the world."

June said with scorn: "He wants it as much as he wants a thousand pounds. And he doesn't want it more. I believe money is his god. Think of the fifteen shilling he pays you a week. It makes my blood boil."

A quick flush sprang to the young man's cheek. "Money has nothing to do with this, Miss June."

"It has to do with everything."

Delicately he ventured to contradict. "Where love is, money doesn't come in. I simply want to offer this priceless thing to the old master out of a full heart, as you might say."

"Then you shouldn't have parted with it." She hated herself for her words, but she was not in a mood to soften them. "You have already had the pleasure of giving it to me, therefore it is only right that you should now deny yourself the pleasure of giving it to Uncle Si. It is like eating your cake and having it."

William was not apt in argument, and this was cogent reasoning. He lacked the wit to meet it, yet he stuck tenaciously to his guns. "When you realize what this rare treasure means to the old man, I'm sure you'll change your mind."