whether ghosts or anybody else, smoking, uninvited, in my cabin.
The match went out. The cigarettes were lit. The man continued speaking.
"The communication, my dear Gertrude, which I intended to make to you was this. The time has come for us to part."
He paused, possibly for an answer. None came.
"I need not enlarge on the reasons which necessitate our parting. They exist."
Pause again. Then the woman.
"What are you going to give me?"
"One of the reasons which necessitate our parting — a very strong reason, as you, I am sure, will be the first to admit — is that I have nothing left to give you."
"So you say."
"Precisely. So I say and so I mean."
"Do you mean that you are going to give me nothing?"
"I mean, my dear Gertrude, that I have nothing to give you. You have left me nothing."
"Bah!"
The sound which issued from the lady's lips was expressive of the most complete contempt.
"Look here, my boy, you give me a hundred sovereigns or I'll spoil you."
Pause again. Probably the gentleman was thinking over the lady's observation.
"What benefit do you think you will do yourself by what you call 'spoiling' me?"
"Never mind about that: I'll do it. You think I don't know all about you, but I do. Perhaps I'm
