As Keith made this powerful statement Isaac smiled, puzzled and indulgent, as at some play of diverting but incomprehensible humour. In fact, he never could clearly distinguish between Keith's sense of humour and his sense of honour; both seemed equally removed from the safe, intelligible methods of ordinary men. He wasn't sure but what there was something fine in it, something in keeping with the intellectual extravagance that distinguished his son from other people's sons. There were moments when it amused and interested him, but he did not care to have it obtruded on him in business hours. "I'm driving no bargain with the lady at all. The books aren't hers, they're Pilkington's. I'm dealing with him." "And you refuse to consider her interests?" "How can you say so when I'm paying two hundred more than I need do, on her account alone? You must explain that clearly to her." "Not I. You can explain it yourself. To me, you see, the whole thing's simply a colossal fraud. I won't have anything to do with it." "You _'aven't_ anything to do with it. I made the bargain, and I keep to it." "Very well, then, you must choose between your bargain and me." "Wot do you mean, choose between my bargain and you?" "I mean exactly what I say. I know (if you don't) that that two hundred ought to be three thousand, and if it isn't paid I shall have to shunt the business. I never meant to stay in it for ever, but in this case I shall simply clear out at once, that's all. See?" "No. I don't see. I don't see myself paying three thousand to a man who's willing to take two hundred." "See my point, I mean. If the three thousand isn't paid, I go. On the other hand, if it is paid, I stay." This was one of those inspirations on which he had counted, and it presented itself to him as a "clincher." At the same instant he realized that he was selling himself into slavery for three thousand pounds. No, not for three thousand pounds, for his honour's sake and Lucia Harden's. Isaac looked graver, alarmed even; it struck him that Keith's peculiar vein of extravagance was becoming dangerous. "You can calculate the interest at four per cent., and knock a hundred and twenty off my salary, if you like; but I'll stay. It's pretty clear, isn't it? I think, on the whole, it might be as well for you to close with the offer. It seems to me that if I'm worth anything at all, I'm worth three thousand." "I haven't priced your services yet." Isaac's gaze shifted. He was beginning to feel something of that profound discomfort he had experienced before in the presence of his son. "Now, when you spoke to Miss 'Arden, had she any notion of the value of the library?" "None whatever, till I told her." "Do you mean to stand there and say that you were fool enough to tell her?" "Certainly; I thought it only fair to her." "And did you think it was fair to me?" "Why not? If you're not dealing with her what difference could it make?" He said to himself, "I've got him there!"