"It is. I am, as you say, down in the world." "The newspapers," continued Mr. Poynter, "have been saying uncomplimentary things of you, and I have heard of a threat of further revelation. I considered it my duty to make your wife acquainted with these public disclosures." Rachel pressed her lips again upon Aaron's hand which she held in a firm and loving grasp. His face brightened. "You have rendered me a service," he said. "Possibly I have to thank you, also, for the statements which have been made in the papers concerning me?" "Possibly," said Mr. Poynter. "Nay," said Aaron, "you said just now that it is best to speak quite plainly, have I, or have I not, to thank you for the unfavorable publicity?" "I have never shrunk from the truth," replied Mr. Poynter with a lofty air, "nor from a duty, however distressing the truth or the duty might be. I became possessed of certain information, and I considered it my duty, in the interests of truth, not to withhold it from the public ear." "I thank you. Perhaps you will now come straight to the business which brings you here." "It is very simple, and will put money into your pocket, of which, it seems to me, you stand in need." "I do stand in need of money." "Then the matter can be arranged. Some little while since you transferred your contracts to other firms, ignoring me entirely in the transaction." "For which," said Aaron, "I had good reasons, and for which you have taken your revenge." "God-fearing men," said Mr. Poynter, "do not seek revenge, but justice. To continue. The firm to which you transferred the most important of these contracts happen, at the present time, to need some assistance, and hearing of it I offer what they need. But it appears that you have hampered them, and that in the deed of transference you expressly stipulated that no part of the contracts shall be executed by me unless I bind myself to a scale of wages and hours which you have tabulated." "I considered it fair to the men," said Aaron, "and it is as you have stated." "It is my belief," pursued Mr. Poynter, "that the firm will accept my aid if I adhere to the scale, which I decline to do. I know what is right, and I will not be dictated to. My business here is to make you the offer of a sum of money--I will go as far as a hundred pounds--if you will cancel this stipulation by which my friends are bound. A hundred pounds would come in useful to you just now." "It would. It is likely you would increase the sum." "Oh, you Jews, you Jews?" exclaimed Mr. Poynter jocosely, thinking he had gained his point. "Always on the lookout for the main chance--always screwing out the last penny. I wouldn't mind, Mr. Cohen. We will say a hundred and twenty." Aaron turned to Rachel and asked, "Is this the bribe you spoke of?" "It is not," she replied. "Mr. Poynter will explain it to you in his own words."