“Have you braced the old man?” asked Jewel. Joe armed himself with caution. He had been waiting for this. “No,” he said. “All bills paid, and a hundred a week clear! Ain’t yeh satisfied?” “No,” said Jewel. “This may blow up any time. I want to be protected. A lump sum down. A man as rich as that; it’s customary. It don’t have to be in cash. A string of pearls, if it suits him better. Or anything I can realize on.” Joe smoothed out his tone. “You’re right, Jewel. You’re certainly entitled to it. Just leave it to me. I’ll brace him as soon as the time is ripe.” “The time is ripe now,” said Jewel with quiet stubbornness. “Who’s runnin’ this show?” Joe demanded. “There’s some things you don’t know,” said Jewel. “You’re only a kid. The time is ripe. The old man is ripe.” “All right,” said Joe. “I’ll brace him next time I see him.” “That’s what you said before. You needn’t mind now. I’ll brace him myself to-night.” Joe sat up suddenly. “Go ahead!” he cried violently. “And the whole show’ll blow up right then! I know that old geezer! If _you_ ask him for money, he’ll fade! He likes to make out it’s all a fairy-story like, when he comes here.” “Has he already given you the money for me?” Jewel asked unexpectedly. Joe’s mouth opened and shut. He perceived that he had betrayed himself by showing too much heat. Oh well, he had to have it out with her anyhow. “Yes,” he said coolly, falling back on the divan. Jewel stood up suddenly. Her sewing fell to the floor. She stood over Joe with clenched hands; a flush in her dark cheeks; her big eyes burning—she was handsome! “You dirty cheat!” she said, not loud. “You rotten kid! Rotten before you’re ripe! You thieving Jew! . . . I might have known how it would be!” Joe felt relieved. If this was how she was going to take it, he was right there with her. He grinned up at her. “Aah! chase yerself!” he drawled. “This is my show. I started it, didn’t I?” “You didn’t earn this money, damn you!” “I put you in the way of earning it!” Jewel suddenly quieted down. “Was it in cash?” she asked. “No, railroad bonds. He got ’em out of the safe deposit box himself.” Jewel sat down, and picked up her sewing. This was what Joe was afraid of. He ground his teeth together. “Aah, what was you anyhow when I picked you out of the gutter?” he cried noisily. “You was nottin’ but a dirty little Allen street. . . .” Jewel smiled at him. “What’s the use?” she said; “you know you got to fork out.” “I’m damned if I will!” cried Joe. “Now you know it, what you goin’ to do about it?” Jewel merely pulled her sewing this way and that.