He pulled himself up, for Gerald’s coolness was steadying.  “However, I must understand.  What will happen when the lender finds you cannot pay?”

“The usual course would be for him to go to the endorser,” Gerald replied and added with some awkwardness:  “I mean the man whose name I used.  His signature’s a guarantee and makes him liable.  Still, as Hallam’s a tactful fellow, it’s possible he’ll first come to you.”

“Do you mean he’s suspicious?”

“I don’t know.  He took off an extortionate discount for a very short loan.”

“How much did he lend you?”

“The bill was for two thousand pounds.”

Osborn made a helpless gesture.  “I can’t pay.  The money I borrowed is partly spent and the rest must go for wages and material.  You can’t put wages off—­”

He stopped and sat down limply.  The shock was beginning to tell.  He felt dull and had no reserve of moral strength to sustain him now his fury had gone.  Gerald saw this and knew that guidance must come from him.  He waited, however, and Osborn went on: 

“It’s ridiculous that we should be ruined for two thousand pounds; but there it is!  If I try to borrow from my friends, I must tell why I need the money.  And I don’t know who would lend.”

“Thorn might,” Gerald suggested meaningly.  “I asked him and he wouldn’t, but I don’t think his refusal was final.”

“Ah!” said Osborn, with a start.  “Why do you think it was not?”

“I imagine he has another plan; he means to wait until it’s obvious we must have his help.  Then he can ask what he likes.”

For a moment, Osborn’s anger blazed up again.  “I see where you are leading, you contemptible cur!  You expect your sister to pay for you!”

“It would be a good marriage,” said Gerald, awkwardly.  “I thought you wanted it.”

“Stop!” exclaimed Osborn, and rested his elbows on the table, with his shoulders bent.

He had wanted Grace to marry Thorn, but his domineering temper did not carry him as far as Gerald thought.  He had hoped that by and by Grace would consent; it was ridiculous to imagine she would long refuse to see the advantages that were plain to him, but to force her to pay for her brother’s fault was another thing.  Although Grace was rebellious, he had some love for her.  In fact, he revolted from the plan and felt he hated Thorn for the pressure he could use.  He was nearly resigned to letting things go and facing the threatened disaster.

For a minute or two, he did not move and Gerald got horribly cramped as he stood opposite.  The room was getting dark and Osborn’s figure was indistinct, but his quietness hinted at a struggle, Gerald began to feel anxious, because he had not expected his father to hesitate.  At length Osborn looked up.

“You haven’t told me whose name you used.”

“Askew’s,” said Gerald, with a tremor.  He knew he could use no stronger argument, but felt afraid.