"I was paid for it," I exclaimed. "I was paid for every single initial and every single stitch I ever took for him! Oh, there was nothing sentimental about it. Ruth makes me sick! I did it simply to earn money." Alec looked down at the initials. "How much were you paid?" he asked. "I was paid," I went on, still on the defensive, "I was paid fifty cents an hour. It was all business from beginning to end. Oh, there was nothing silly in it!" "Fifty cents an hour?" Alec repeated. "Oh, yes," I said. "Ruth is absurd. I made out bills and receipts and everything. It was absolutely businesslike." "And how much has Will already given you?" The colour for some reason rose to my cheeks. Alec looked as if he wasn't pleased and I was suddenly ashamed. "About--sixty dollars," I murmured. "Sixty dollars!" Alec flashed. "Why did you need so much money?" he asked me sternly. I saw my danger then. It was as if I had had my hands on the steering-wheel of Dr. Maynard's automobile, and suddenly saw an enormous limousine headed for me around a curve. "Why," I stammered, trying to keep calm, "I thought the business was doing so--poorly, that I--I--" "Why did you think it necessary not to tell me about this--enterprise of yours?" asked Alec. The limousine kept coming straight for me, you see. I hesitated just a moment. I had no idea of telling about Oliver. After you've worked for a cause, you'll protect it if it kills you. But I was at a loss to know which way to turn, and I had to act quickly. An inspiration came to me. It wasn't a good one, but I was excited. "I borrowed seventy-five dollars from the Household Account. I had a dressmaker's bill of my own to pay that had stood a long while, and so--now I'm trying to make it up." Alec dropped the socks as if they had been hot. He didn't say a single word. He just stood there and stared and stared. I glanced up for a fleeting second and Alec's eyes were terrible. The vision of them remained with me for days, just as the image of the sun will dance before your eyes after you have gazed at its piercing light for an instant. I turned and looked quickly out of the window. The clock in the hall struck five. I counted it to myself. The last stroke died away, and still Alec stood and stared. He seemed to be willing me to bow down in remorse and shame. I couldn't help it. I tried and I couldn't. I wasn't guilty--oh, no, Alec, I wasn't guilty--but suddenly a hot wave spread over me up to my temples and I hung my head before my brother's condemning gaze. He turned away then, and without a word went out into the hall. I didn't know a silence could be so eloquent; I didn't know a silence could hurt. It sobered even Ruth. She slunk quietly upstairs. And when I discovered I was quite alone, I drew a long breath. Then I got up, gathered the poor socks that had caused so much trouble together in a pile and put them back into my work-bag.