“But in the meantime, what do you propose to settle on her?”
Mr. Brookes hesitated. He was angry at being pressed. Berkins's domineering tone irritated him; he would have liked to bundle him from the house.
Presently he said: “I think, considering the very large sums of money my daughters will come into at my death, that a settlement of two hundred a year is ample.”
“Very well, in that case I shall settle the same.”
“I could not, I will not, consent to any such arrangement. The man my daughter marries must settle on her a sum of money equivalent--”
“To her position, to her expectations,” replied Mr. Brookes, growing more and more angry.
“But I don't know what her expectations are; you may marry again.”
“Very possibly, but I know nothing of that; business is business, and I should be a fool if I settle five hundred to your two hundred.”
Mr. Brookes stopped in his walk, and he looked at Berkins, who stood, his hand laid upon the billiard table as upon a huge balance sheet. The word business had carried the men back to their offices in London, and, quite forgetful of the subject of their bargaining, each strove to obtain an advantage over the other.
“Well, let us say two hundred and fifty, that is my last word.”
“Then, Mr. Brookes, I will not take your daughter.”
“Willy, make haste, I beg of you; I shall miss my train. It is now exactly half-past nine.”
“You had better go without me; I cannot start now. I haven't nearly got my things together.”
Willy walked from room to room tying and untying brown paper parcels in his most methodical and most dilatory manner. His sisters stood watching him from the drawing-room door.
“Did father tell you nothing when Berkins left? They had a row, hadn't they? It isn't off, is it?”
“I wish you would not speak so loud, Sally; you can be heard all over the house.”
“But I don't know. Father was very much upset. I couldn't speak to him about my own business, I know that.”
“Well, I suppose we shall hear about it to-night. You are going to meet Frank in Brighton, aren't you?”
“Don't keep him all day; send him on here, we might have a game of tennis.”
Willy did not answer; and he thought as he went upstairs, what a trouble young girls were in a house. “They think of nothing but pleasure, nothing but pleasure.”