"I know I ought to be called a beggar on horseback, because I really have ridden rather--rather fast this winter----" "Two thousand?" he questioned. "No, Mort, you see, it isn't only the dresses and the hats. I'm afraid I've been losing more than I should have lost at auction." "Bridge!" he said, pitilessly, "I thought----" "Yes--bub--bridge." "I thought my warning might be sufficient. I'm sorry----" "So am I," she whispered, her head lowered, now thoroughly abased. "I am not going to play any more." "How much--three thousand?" he asked again. "No," she said, desperately, "more. I'm afraid it will take five thousand dollars to pay everything." "Phew!" he whistled. "How in the name of all that's expensive----" "Oh, I don't know----" helplessly, "money adds up so fast--I suppose that father might help me if you can't--but I didn't want to ask him if I could help it; you know he----" "Oh, no," said Crabb, with a sudden move of the hand. "It can be managed, of course, but I admit I'm surprised--very much surprised that you haven't thought fit to take me closer into your confidence." "I'm sorry, Mort," she muttered, humbly. "It won't happen again." Crabb pushed back his chair and rose. "Oh, well, don't say anything more about it, Patty. It must be attended to, of course. Just give me a list of the items and I'll send out the checks." "But, Mort, I'd like to----" "I'll just stop in at Madame Jacquard's on the way uptown and----" Patty started up and then sank back weakly. "Oh, Mort, dear," she faltered, "it isn't worth while. It would be so much out of your way----" "Not a bit," said Crabb, striding cheerfully to the door. "It's only a step from the subway, and then I can come on up the Avenue----" But Patricia by this time had fastened tightly upon the lapels of his coat, and was looking half tearfully up into his face. "I--I want to see Madame about some things she hasn't sent up yet--I must go there to-day. I'll--I'll tell her, Mort, and then if you'll arrange it, I'll just send it to her to-morrow." Mortimer Crabb looked into the blue eyes that she raised to his and relented. "All right," he said, "you shall have your own way." And then, with the suspicion of a smile, "Shall I make a check to your order?" "To--to mine, Mort--it always makes me feel more important to pay my bills myself--and besides--the bub--bridge, you know." When Patricia heard the front door shut behind her husband, she gave a great sigh and sank on the divan in a state of utter collapse.