I get so confused
with these figures. I'm an old man now, and all these troubles are too
much for me."
"You must not talk like that, father," she answered, not knowing what
to say, for affairs were indeed desperate.
"Yes, yes, it's all very well to talk so, but facts are stubborn. Our
family is ruined, and we must accept it."
"Cannot the money be got anyhow? Is there /nothing/ to be done?" she
said in despair.
"What is the good of asking me that? There is only one thing that can
save us, and you know what it is as well as I do. But you are your own
mistress. I have no right to put pressure on you. I don't wish to put
pressure on you. You must please yourself. Meanwhile I think we had
better leave this place at once, and go and live in a cottage
somewhere, if we can get enough to support us; if not we must starve,
I suppose. I cannot keep up appearances any longer."
Ida rose, and with a strange sad light of resolution shining in her
eyes, came to where her father was sitting, and putting her hands upon
his shoulders, looked him in the face.
"Father," she said, "do you wish me to marry that man?"
"Wish you to marry him? What do you mean?" he said, not without
irritation, and avoiding her gaze. "It is no affair of mine. I don't
like the man, if that's what you mean.
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